**In Benalmádena, Lina was classified as "medium" risk just weeks before her murder, revealing systemic flaws in the approach to protecting vulnerable individuals against domestic violence.**
**Algorithm Misjudgment: Lina's Death Raises Alarming Questions on Gender Violence Protection**
**Algorithm Misjudgment: Lina's Death Raises Alarming Questions on Gender Violence Protection**
**The tragic case of Lina highlights the failures of the VioGén algorithm used by Spanish police in assessing domestic violence threats.**
On February 9, 2025, a heartbreaking tragedy struck in the seaside town of Benalmádena, Spain, when Lina lost her life to domestic violence. Only weeks prior, Lina had sought help from the police due to threatening behavior from her ex-partner, whose assaults had left her deeply fearful. Despite a history of violence, an algorithmic assessment tool known as VioGén classified her risk level as "medium," a rating that would not warrant immediate police intervention.
Lina’s ordeal began with troubling threats that escalated to direct confrontations, leading her to inquire about a restraining order at a specialist gender violence court. Regrettably, her request was denied. According to her cousin Daniel, Lina aimed to secure her home with new locks, hoping to establish a safe environment for her children.
Just weeks later, disaster struck. On the night of her murder, her ex-partner allegedly entered her residence and set it ablaze, resulting in a harrowing situation where only her children and mother escaped. Lina’s tragic end has sparked renewed scrutiny of the VioGén system and its efficacy in safeguarding women from domestic violence. Under the protocol for "medium-risk" individuals, Lina was slated to receive follow-up from police only after 30 days—a window tragically closed by her death.
Critics raise concerns about whether the police's reliance on algorithms like VioGén for risk assessment may inadvertently contribute to the alarmingly high rates of domestic violence in Spain. While tools for evaluating domestic abuse risk exist in various forms elsewhere, VioGén is uniquely integrated into Spanish law enforcement protocols, raising questions about its reliability and the potential errors it introduces into judicial decisions.
Ch Insp Isabel Espejo from the National Police described VioGén as an essential resource amid rising reports of gender violence, stating that men classified as "extreme risk" necessitate 24-hour police protection. Yet, given the case of Lina and many others, the necessity of human oversight in assessing threats remains crucial, as the rigid classification system may fail to account for unique circumstances.
Lina's case provokes pressing questions regarding the intersection of technology and human judgment within law enforcement. The denial of her restraining order raises doubts about whether a more nuanced understanding of her situation could have led to different outcomes, particularly in light of recent studies suggesting that some courts exhibit variability in how they interpret and act upon algorithmic evaluations.
Despite acknowledging the algorithm's flaws, officials emphasize accountability lies mainly with perpetrators. Nevertheless, the underlying fears persist in Benalmádena, where a growing memorial for Lina showcases the community in mourning and rallying against gender violence. As families seek closure and healing, the lingering impacts of Lina’s tragic death ignites a demand for a thorough examination of algorithmic systems and their role in protecting the lives of vulnerable women throughout Spain.
