RE: Virtual sex as a means to reduce sexual assaults
I think it is a double-edged sword @dana-edwards because if it is not used in moderation it can provoke changes in the sleep pattern by staying up late practicing cybersex, having less and less relationships with the couple and seeing the virtual sex as unique source of gratification or constantly thinking about connecting to practice it.
It can also cause, in extreme cases, addiction. As in other addictions, at first sporadic and punctual use is made and as the time passes the person increases the frequency of use until it ends up losing control over the behavior.
On the other hand you can also be a victim of Cyberbullying. And this applies equally to both cybersex and sexting
For example, your camera may be vulnerable to hacker attacks. They can be recording or taking pictures to then blackmail you.
It is good that it is a valid option to practice safe sex, but if you do not have an education or a basic knowledge about the dangers of online sex you can have a hard time.
Isn't this kind of addiction safer than addiction to more risky forms of sex? I don't see how the same couldn't happen if a person is going to see prostitutes at midnight and risking STI.
Sexting also is unsafe and is not virtual in the sense I was discussing it. Any time the actual identity of a person is involved then risk increases. Blackmail can only happen if a person involves their flesh and blood in the interaction. In virtual sex none of this is necessary because an avatar can be created which theoretically with the right graphics card can look almost photo realistic. In addition, in VR with proper gear this can go far beyond the very limited experiences of trading images or text.
So by VR sex I'm talking the exact opposite of anything flesh and blood. In that case there is nothing for hackers to attack except maybe your pseudo anonymous avatar identity. There is nothing for anyone to blackmail you with because your avatar isn't a real person. There is nothing to stalk you with unless you give the person your personal information.
Proper safe virtual sex involves:
Done right what are the risks? In my estimation, lower than everything you mentioned. Lower than sex the old fashioned way. A pseudo anonymous avatar basically is a customizable physical appearance which Alice and Bob design for themselves for use in the virtual world. This virtual persona can look like however they want it to look, wear whatever they want it to wear, do whatever they want it to do.
I apologize then. I confused terms. And now it comes to mind a function that I used at some time Naughtyamerica.com that was to give users access to interactions with their pornstars.