Tragic Death of Lina Highlights Shortcomings of VioGén System
In January, Lina sought help from the police.
Living in the coastal town of Benalmádena, Spain, Lina had been facing threats from her ex-partner, who had reportedly raised his hand to strike her. Her cousin, Daniel, noted that Lina had experienced previous violent incidents that left her terrified.
At the police station, Lina’s case was recorded using VioGén, a digital tool designed to evaluate the risk of further violence against women. This algorithm-based system employs a series of 35 questions, assessing factors such as the aggressor’s mental state and access to weapons to categorize the threat level as “negligible,” “low,” “medium,” “high,” or “extreme.” Lina was classified as being at “medium” risk.
Despite requesting a restraining order from a specialist gender violence court in Málaga to prevent her ex-partner from contacting her, her plea was denied. Lina wished to change the locks on her home for the safety of herself and her children.
Tragically, three weeks later, her ex-partner allegedly entered her residence using an existing key and set the house ablaze. While her family members escaped, Lina did not, and her son reported that it was his father who killed her. The aftermath of this incident has cast a spotlight on the effectiveness of the VioGén system in protecting women from domestic violence.
The tool’s assessment did not accurately reflect the danger Lina was in, as the follow-up protocol for a “medium” risk classification requires police contact within 30 days. With Lina’s death occurring before this protocol could be enacted, questions arise about whether a different assessment could have led to faster intervention. In Spain, such algorithmic risk assessments aren’t commonly employed in the same way as in the UK and North America, where other systems like DARA and DASH are utilized.
Ch Insp Isabel Espejo, who leads the family and women’s unit in Málaga, described VioGén as crucial for monitoring victims. However, she acknowledged that the system can fail to predict risks effectively, underscoring a need for enhanced scrutiny. Although she affirmed the algorithm usually provides a satisfactory risk assessment, it raises concerns about how this data influences judicial actions, such as Lina’s unsuccessful request for protection.
The tragic story of Lina has further prompted discussions about the data integrity and effectiveness of VioGén in safeguarding women. Critics point out that without audits and systematic evaluations of its impact, the algorithm may not consistently offer the needed protection. The lack of access to VioGén’s data has hampered independent studies, leading to calls for greater transparency in how domestic violence cases are assessed and managed in Spain.
