Domestic Violence and Video Games

Kenzie Gordon will be presenting on domestic violence and video games.

Kenzie is a Master’s student in Humanities Computing at the University of Alberta. Drawing on her experience as a social worker in frontline domestic violence prevention, her research examines issues of domestic and sexual violence in video games, the capacity of video games to act as violence prevention tools, and applications of games in learning about relationships and gender-based violence.

Although violence prevention education frequently draws upon cultural sources like film, television, and music to discuss portrayals of domestic violence and relationships, little attention has been paid to the representation of these relationships in video games. As video games are an increasingly prominent source of entertainment for young people and adults alike, understanding what messages games are telling about relationships is essential in effectively employing them as educational tools. This session will provide attendees with the knowledge necessary to begin discussing domestic violence and relationships in video games from a violence prevention perspective. Topics covered will include an introduction to critical game studies, discussion of depictions of domestic violence in games, and an examination of games well suited to violence prevention work. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss what role games might have in the future of violence prevention and share strategies for incorporating games into violence prevention work.

Seating is limited – please reserve your ticket now!