Algorithmic Failures: The Tragic Case of Lina and Spain's VioGén System

Despite being labeled as "medium" risk by the VioGén system after reporting serious threats from her ex-partner, Lina was denied a restraining order and was later killed. Her tragic case highlights the limitations of algorithm-driven risk assessments and the urgent need for more robust policies to safeguard victims of domestic violence.

 

On February 9, 2025, Lina lost her life in a shocking incident that has been met with public outrage and scrutiny of the VioGén system, a digital tool used in Spain to evaluate domestic violence risks. Prior to her death, Lina had sought help from authorities after her ex-partner threatened her physical safety. Her cousin, Daniel, describes a fearful woman seeking refuge while attempting to protect herself and her children.

Upon visiting a police station in Benalmádena, Lina shared her concerns, leading to her case being filed using the VioGén system. This algorithm-based assessment evaluates various factors associated with domestic violence, from historical abuse behaviors to the aggressor's access to weapons. After answering 35 pertinent questions, Lina was categorized at "medium" risk – a designation that would later play a critical role in the events that followed.

Despite her concerns, Lina's request for a restraining order at a gender violence court in Malaga was denied. Within three weeks of her case assessment, her ex-partner allegedly used his key to enter her home and later set it on fire. Fortunately, her children and mother managed to escape, but Lina tragically did not survive the conflagration. Reports surfaced that her 11-year-old son informed the police about his father's actions.

Lina’s death has spurred over a renewed debate about the VioGén tool, particularly its accuracy in risk assessment and its implications for law enforcement protocols. Advocates argue that while the VioGén system is intended to provide essential resources to women in danger, its current framework failed to prioritize Lina adequately.

The head of the family and women's unit in Malaga, Ch Insp Isabel Espejo, voiced the algorithm's significance, acknowledging that while it can assist in following victim cases, it is not infallible. In Lina's case, she was overlooked as a lower priority because of her "medium" classification, missing police follow-up that could have possibly altered her fate. When questioned about the reliance on algorithmic judgment in critical safety calls, Espejo remarked that it remains a tool, not a substitute for police discretion.

The tragedy also laid bare irregularities within the court system regarding restraining orders. Judge Maria del Carmen Gutiérrez elaborated that orders require two key factors — crime evidence and a substantial threat, acknowledging that even with varying VioGén assessments, decisions can be inconsistent across jurisdictions. Critics have likened the disparity to a "postcode lottery," where outcomes depend heavily on location rather than consistent legal standards.

Researchers like Dr. Juan Jose Medina emphasize the urgent necessity to audit the VioGén system, as a lack of transparency hinders the understanding of its impact on decision-making. In one evaluation, it was revealed that numerous women, assessed as 'negligible' or 'medium' risk, had previously reported abuse before being murdered by past partners. This data emphasizes the dire need for reform and adequate support structures.

The fallout from Lina's death continues to resonate throughout the community, transforming her home into a memorial symbolizing the perils of domestic violence and the need for systemic change. With flowers, candles, and gestures of solidarity adorning her doorstep, relatives and activists alike rally for enhanced protections for victims. As Lina's cousin reflects on their painful loss, the community grapples with the haunting question of how many lives could have been spared had their systems functioned as intended.