RE: Virtual sex as a means to reduce sexual assaults
Why is that? Sexual assault doesn't appear to be about sex. It's an act of aggression. If it were about sex alone then I would think if there are more means of safer sex then there is less desire for unsafe sex.
But it's hard to say without there being a study conducted. I don't think "real thing" is something people care about all that much. In fact, virtual reality can be better than the real thing because you can live out impossible fantasies, or do stuff beyond the laws of physics. The kinds of experiences people could have in virtual reality could surpass the experiences they could have in real.
This is assuming they are rational, and do not want to hurt others. If they do want to hurt others then you could be right but then it's not about sex.
That's why I think virtual sex won't reduce assaults too much. People who needs to use violence against others won't satisfy this with virtual sex. imho
But I support the idea that virtual sex is ok, as long as no abuse is implied, any kind of sex that satisfies someone is ok for him/her.