Step Into the Story: Interactive Virtual Reality at the Lone Star Festival Event in Austin
For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE AND DIGITAL MATERIALS
We are thrilled to bring TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story to the Lone Star Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 9 AM to 4 PM CDT and Sunday, June 8, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM CDT at the Wyndham Garden Austin, 3401 South Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX 78741.
For Radical Empathy Education Foundation, this event is a chance to share our award-winning VR app with writers eager to explore interactive storytelling that fosters empathy and fights human trafficking.
Stop by our booth to slip on a VR headset and experience TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story, a 15–25-minute immersive narrative where you choose your own path to uncover how Lisa, a 14-year-old girl, becomes a victim of manipulation and coercion. Afterward, chat one-on-one with the app’s authors about crafting interactive stories for film, games, or literature. No VR experience is needed—our team will guide you every step of the way.
TRAPPED is more than a story—it’s a tool to teach people how to recognize trafficking signs and grooming tactics, earning accolades from South by Southwest, the Capital Factory, and game conferences. The Lone Star Festival, with its celebration of music, art, books, and film, is the perfect place to share this mission with the author community. This free event is open to all—grab your tickets at lsf25.com and join us for a day of inspiration.
Come try TRAPPED and talk storytelling with us. Can’t make it? Visit reefcares.org to learn more about TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story and how we’re working to end human trafficking through VR education.
We look forward to seeing you in Austin!
About TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story
TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story is an innovative VR experience that trains users to identify the subtle tactics of online manipulation, fostering critical awareness and empathy. Celebrated for its engaging narrative and educational impact, TRAPPED has been featured on PBS, NBC, FOX, numerous radio programs, and countless websites and blogs. By immersing users in a detective’s perspective, TRAPPED equips communities with tools to navigate digital spaces safely.
At the “Lone Star Festival” event, Radical Empathy will offer hands-on demonstrations of TRAPPED, allowing attendees to engage with its VR training and explore its role in interactive education and storytelling.
Media Highlights and Coverage
TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story has earned widespread media recognition for its unique approach to educating about online manipulation. Explore our earned media coverage, including TV and radio features, at:
https://www.reefcares.org/Electronic_Press_Kit_(EPK)
Hear from users, educators, and community leaders about the app’s impact on our testimonials page:
https://www.reefcares.org/Testimonials
Comprehensive Media Resources
To support media coverage of our participation in the event, we’ve compiled a robust media kit:
Marketing Materials Blog: Access press releases, backgrounders, and promotional content at:
https://beyondtheredflags.substack.com/p/trapped-a-vr-detective-story-marketingDigital Media Downloads: Download high-resolution screenshots, logos, and other assets at:
https://www.reefcares.org/Digital_Media_Downloads
Event Details and Materials
Learn more about the event through the official site:
Get tickets here: https://lsf25.com/free-tickets
Join Us at the Event
We invite media outlets to cover this impactful event and experience TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story firsthand. Radical Empathy representatives will be available for interviews to discuss the app’s development, its training on online manipulation, and our mission to empower communities through empathy and digital awareness.
For more information, to schedule an interview, or to RSVP for media coverage, please contact:
Jacqueline Cain, Co-Founder, jacqueline@reefcares.org 512.545.0525
Billy Joe Cain, Co-Founder, billy@reefcares.org 512.521.8874
Stay connected with Radical Empathy:
Web: reefcares.org
Substack: beyondtheredflags.substack.com
We look forward to showcasing TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story at Wyndham Garden Austin, 3401 South Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX 78741, and contributing to the conversation around interactive storytelling and digital safety.
About Beyond the Red Flags
Billy Joe and Jacqueline Cain are the passionate founders of Radical Empathy Education Foundation. Together, they are on a mission to educate the world about emotional abuse and abuse prevention through immersive experiences like TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story. Their goal is to empower individuals to recognize, prevent, and respond to these issues, saving lives along the way.
If you believe in this mission, you can support their work through Buy me a coffee or a donation to Radical Empathy Education Foundation.
About TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story
TRAPPED: A VR Detective Story provides users with an immersive, interactive experience that tells the story of Lisa, a 14-year-old trafficking victim. Through Lisa’s narrative, participants gain insight into the subtle yet powerful tactics predators use to manipulate and control their victims. This engaging VR experience has already reached over 15,000 participants across 10 states, serving as a critical resource for abuse prevention in schools, shelters, law enforcement, and corporations.
About Radical Empathy Education Foundation
Radical Empathy Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing abuse and human trafficking through innovative, immersive VR technology. Their award-winning training tools educate users on the tactics predators use and empower individuals to recognize and avoid abusive situations.
Learn more about Radical Empathy Education Foundation and connect to access their VR training at ArborXR’s XR Directory.
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