Radical Empathy Education Foundation

Radical Empathy Education Foundation (REEF) is an Austin-based nonprofit that licenses immersive, interactive Virtual Reality (VR) software to trainers, educators, and community educators. These experiential learning experiences are focused on ending human suffering through providing the best educational experiences on the planet. Their first title, TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story, was designed and improved over the course of four years, and is currently available for Oculus Quest headsets through mobile device management software distribution. It teaches people how professional predators use people's emotions against individuals and trick them into becoming victims of domestic abuse as well as human trafficking. It provides trainees with a full understanding of coercion and psychological manipulation that is simply not possible in a classroom setting at scale.Co-founded and led by Jacqueline and Billy Joe Cain, who learned their children were being "groomed" by Billy Joe's boss, who turned out to be a registered sex predator. They sold their house and became advocates to help others understand how anyone could become a victim of coercion and psychological manipulation. Their research into the topic showed that the main failing of current-day training is that people do not understand why someone doesn't "just leave" their relationship with the predator. They have multiple licensees using their training software in 10 states and have served over 15,000 trainees of all ages and backgrounds, including middle and high schoolers, medical professionals, lawyers, government officials, and human trafficking prevention training professionals.Currently, they are working with Indigenous groups to design additional training scenarios that match their specific cultural needs, as the more connected a trainee is to the material, the more effective it is.Radical Empathy is prepared to help your company create any type of interactive educational tool or game. Since entering the interactive industry in 1992, the Cains have worked for Electronic Arts, Sony, the United States Air Force, Nickelodeon, and many other companies on hundreds of projects. Reach out and connect with them - they're ready to help you take your training to the next level!