Malaga, Spain – Lina, a victim of domestic violence in a Spanish seaside town, sought help from the police in January after enduring threats from her ex-partner. Despite being identified as “medium” risk by VioGén, a tool used to assess the likelihood of repeated attacks, Lina’s request for a restraining order was denied. Tragically, three weeks later, she lost her life when her ex-partner allegedly set her house on fire. This incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of VioGén in protecting women like Lina.
VioGén, an algorithm-based system developed by Spanish police and academics, is used to classify the threat level faced by women in cases of domestic violence. While it plays a crucial role in guiding police resources to protect victims, questions have been raised about its accuracy in predicting risks, as in Lina’s case.
Ch Insp Isabel Espejo, head of the National Police’s family and women’s unit in Malaga, praises VioGén for its ability to monitor victims’ cases closely. However, critics argue that relying solely on an algorithm to assess risks can lead to oversights, as seen in Lina’s tragic outcome.
In Spain, VioGén is an integral part of police practice when dealing with gender violence cases. While it aims to provide a standardized response to domestic abuse, the case of Lina sheds light on possible flaws in the system that could jeopardize women’s safety.
Judge Maria del Carmen Gutiérrez, who presides over Malaga’s gender violence court, emphasizes the importance of using multiple factors, including VioGén assessments, when determining the need for restraining orders. The complexity of such decisions highlights the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the safety of victims.
Despite its critics, supporters of VioGén, like Juan José López-Ossorio from Spain’s interior ministry, defend its effectiveness in reducing the likelihood of further violence when women seek police protection. However, calls for independent audits of the system persist to ensure that it accurately assesses risks and protects vulnerable individuals.
As debates around VioGén’s reliability continue, communities like Benalmádena mourn the loss of victims like Lina and strive to raise awareness about gender violence. Lina’s tragic story serves as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard women facing domestic abuse and prevent further tragedies.