Lina's murder, following a police assessment of her risk level, ignites debate on the effectiveness and implications of algorithm-based systems designed to protect victims of domestic violence in Spain.
**Tragic Death Raises Concerns Over Spain's Domestic Violence Algorithm**
**Tragic Death Raises Concerns Over Spain's Domestic Violence Algorithm**
The case of Lina, killed by her ex-partner despite being classified as a 'medium' risk, spotlights flaws in Spain’s VioGén system.
In February 2025, Lina met with the police in Benalmádena after being threatened by her former partner. Documented incidents of violence had made her fearful for her life. At the police station, her case was recorded in VioGén, a digital tool that assesses threats to women based on a set of 35 variables, including the aggressor's access to weapons and history of violence. Despite her perilous situation, the system categorized her risk as "medium," leading to the denial of her request for a restraining order.
Just weeks later, Lina was killed when her ex-partner allegedly used his key to enter her home and set it ablaze. While some family members escaped, Lina tragically did not survive. This incident has prompted scrutiny of the VioGén system and its predictions regarding the safety of women in similar circumstances.
Though VioGén is praised by some police officials for improving response times and risk categorization, critics have voiced concerns about its reliability. Lina was scheduled for follow-up support within 30 days due to her medium risk status, but her death occurred before that could happen. In cases where women are marked as high risk, police follow-up occurs within a week, raising questions about potential interventions that could have taken place.
Judicial authorities emphasize the importance of multiple factors in granting restraining orders, with VioGén being a single component of the decision-making process. While some judges may act against the algorithm's recommendations, there is no comprehensive data assessing how the risk assessment interplays with judicial outcomes.
Dr. Juan Jose Medina from the University of Seville highlights a regional disparity in the granting of restraining orders, which adds further complexity to the protection of domestic abuse survivors. Concerns over potential algorithmic biases have been extensively documented internationally, prompting advocates to call for independent audits of systems like VioGén, to ensure equitable protection for all women facing domestic violence.
Despite the innovative aspects of the VioGén system, many remain skeptical about its efficacy and the potential for systemic bias. As Lina’s community honors her memory, family members reflect on the tragic loss, emphasizing the urgent need for improved protective measures for victims of domestic violence in Spain.
Just weeks later, Lina was killed when her ex-partner allegedly used his key to enter her home and set it ablaze. While some family members escaped, Lina tragically did not survive. This incident has prompted scrutiny of the VioGén system and its predictions regarding the safety of women in similar circumstances.
Though VioGén is praised by some police officials for improving response times and risk categorization, critics have voiced concerns about its reliability. Lina was scheduled for follow-up support within 30 days due to her medium risk status, but her death occurred before that could happen. In cases where women are marked as high risk, police follow-up occurs within a week, raising questions about potential interventions that could have taken place.
Judicial authorities emphasize the importance of multiple factors in granting restraining orders, with VioGén being a single component of the decision-making process. While some judges may act against the algorithm's recommendations, there is no comprehensive data assessing how the risk assessment interplays with judicial outcomes.
Dr. Juan Jose Medina from the University of Seville highlights a regional disparity in the granting of restraining orders, which adds further complexity to the protection of domestic abuse survivors. Concerns over potential algorithmic biases have been extensively documented internationally, prompting advocates to call for independent audits of systems like VioGén, to ensure equitable protection for all women facing domestic violence.
Despite the innovative aspects of the VioGén system, many remain skeptical about its efficacy and the potential for systemic bias. As Lina’s community honors her memory, family members reflect on the tragic loss, emphasizing the urgent need for improved protective measures for victims of domestic violence in Spain.
