System Error Or Negligence? Woman Informs Police About Threat Calls, Algorithm Says Medium Risk Only; Killed

A Spanish woman named Lina was killed by her ex-partner in Benalmádenain. According to the reports, Lina had informed police about threats she is receiving, and she feared for her safety. Her case was registered with VioGén, a digital tool designed to assess the risk of domestic violence, which categorised Lina's risk as "medium."

A police officer was also assigned to take follow up within 30 days.

But when that officer visited Lina's house, he found that her ex-partner allegedly entered her house using spare key and set it on fire. Other family members managed to escape, but Lina got stuck in fire and tragically died.

Algorithmic Bias and Its Impact

The incident has raised questions about VioGén's effectiveness in protecting women like Lina. Critics argue that the algorithm may not always accurately predict threats. In Spain, VioGén is integrated into police practices more than in other countries. However, its reliability is under scrutiny following cases like Lina's.

Ch Insp Isabel Espejo from Malaga's National Police family unit defends VioGén as a crucial tool for tracking gender violence cases. She acknowledges that while the system isn't perfect, it generally provides adequate risk assessments. Yet, she admits something went wrong with Lina's evaluation.

Court Decisions and Restraining Orders

Lina had requested a restraining order against her ex-partner at Malaga's gender violence court but was denied. Judge Maria del Carmen Gutiérrez explains that such orders require evidence of a crime and serious danger to the victim. Although VioGén is one factor considered, it's not the sole determinant in these decisions.

Dr Juan Jose Medina from the University of Seville highlights inconsistencies in granting restraining orders across different jurisdictions in Spain. He notes that there is limited understanding of how VioGén influences court decisions due to a lack of comprehensive studies.

Calls for System Audits

Gemma Galdon from Eticas advocates for auditing systems like VioGén to ensure they effectively protect women at risk. She points out that without audits, it's challenging to determine if these tools are delivering appropriate protection. Despite proposing an audit in 2018, Spain's interior ministry did not approve it.