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Questions Arise After Domestic Violence Case Highlights Flaws in VioGén System

Lina, a resident of the Spanish coastal town of Benalmádena, died tragically on February 9, 2025. Just a month prior, she had sought help from law enforcement due to escalating threats from her former partner. Reports indicate that on the day she approached the police, he had behaved violently toward her, raising his hand in an intimidating manner.

Her cousin Daniel shared that Lina had experienced numerous episodes of violence and was genuinely frightened for her safety. Following her report, Lina’s case was entered into VioGén, an algorithm-based assessment tool designed to determine the risk level for women potentially facing repeated instances of domestic abuse. This system poses 35 questions regarding various factors, including the nature of the abuse, access to weapons, and the aggressor’s mental health, ultimately categorizing the threat level as negligible, low, medium, high, or extreme.

In Lina’s case, the assessment categorized her as being at “medium” risk. She subsequently sought a restraining order from a specialized gender violence court in Malaga, requesting protection from her ex-partner. Unfortunately, her plea was denied.

Daniel recounted Lina’s desire to enhance her home security by changing the locks to protect herself and her children. Just three weeks later, her life was cut short when her former partner allegedly entered her home using his key, leading to a fatal incident that left the household engulfed in flames. Although her mother, children, and ex-partner escaped the inferno, it was reported that her 11-year-old son indicated to the authorities that his father was responsible for his mother’s death.

The aftermath of Lina’s horrific death has ignited significant scrutiny regarding the effectiveness of VioGén. Critics argue that the tool failed to appropriately assess the danger Lina faced. As per the protocol, women classified at “medium” risk are supposed to receive follow-ups from the police within 30 days. Tragically, Lina passed away before any contact could occur. If she had been categorized as “high” risk, the police would have followed up within a week. This begs the question: could timely intervention have altered the outcome of her situation?

Domestic violence risk assessment tools are utilized not only in Spain but also in various regions across North America and Europe. The UK, for example, employs assessments such as DARA (Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment) and DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment, and Honour-based Violence Assessment). However, the unique feature of the VioGén system is its comprehensive integration into police procedures throughout the country, except in regions such as Catalonia and the Basque Country, where alternative systems are in place.

Support for VioGén Amidst Criticism

Ch Insp Isabel Espejo, who leads the National Police’s family and women’s unit in Malaga, emphasized the importance of VioGén in tracking victims’ cases with precision. She noted that her unit handles an average of ten gender violence reports each day, and the resource demands for cases categorized at the “extreme” level are considerable, often requiring continuous police protection.

However, there is a significant concern regarding the reliance on algorithms for making judgments about women’s safety. A 2014 study indicated that officers endorsed VioGén’s risk evaluations 95% of the time, leading to accusations that law enforcement is overly reliant on this tool at the expense of individual judgment.

Espejo acknowledged that while VioGén’s assessments usually provide sufficient risk evaluation, there are occasions where the system fails, as seen in Lina’s case. She asserted that accountability lies primarily with the aggressor rather than the system itself, but raised questions about the implications of a “medium” risk classification on police priorities and the court’s decisions regarding protective orders.

Court Perspective and Systemic Issues

Although authorities did not permit a direct interview with the judge who denied Lina’s restraining order, Judge Maria del Carmen Gutiérrez explained that such orders depend on evidence of a crime and an imminent threat to the victim’s safety. She noted that while VioGén informs her evaluations, it is not the sole factor considered in her decisions.

Dr. Juan Jose Medina, a criminologist, has highlighted existing inconsistencies across jurisdictions in Spain concerning restraining order approvals. The lack of transparency regarding how VioGén data impacts judicial outcomes raises further concerns. The absence of systematic research into the algorithm’s influence adds to the uncertainty surrounding its effectiveness.

Lina’s death serves as a poignant reminder of these systemic challenges. Reports indicate that between 2003 and 2021, 71 women who had previously reported domestic violence were murdered by their partners, many of whom had risk classifications of “negligible” or “medium” within the VioGén system. This alarming statistic emphasizes the critical need for reassessment of how risk levels are assigned and what measures are taken to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

Pushing for Reform and Accountability

Gemma Galdon, the founder of Eticas, an organization focused on the social impacts of technology, stresses the importance of auditing systems like VioGén to ensure they effectively protect women at risk. The potential for algorithmic bias, as seen in similar systems abroad, raises alarming questions about the dependability of risk assessments.

Despite the criticism, officials like Juan José López-Ossorio of the interior ministry remain confident in the tool’s efficacy, arguing that victims under police protection are statistically less likely to experience further violence. While he dismisses the need for external audits, Galdon’s efforts to reverse-engineer VioGén and analyze data from domestic violence survivors reflect a growing demand for accountability and reform.

Back in Benalmádena, Lina’s former residence now resembles a memorial, adorned with flowers and messages opposing gender-based violence. The community has rallied to support her children in the wake of this tragedy. Daniel expressed that the family remains devastated, particularly Lina’s elderly mother, who faces the unbearable loss of her daughter—an event that could have been prevented. With Lina’s children facing this shock, the need for psychological support to aid their recovery is imperative.

Source
www.bbc.com