Spanish domestic violence risk algorithm categorizes victim as medium risk before fatal attack
Spain's VioGén algorithm assessed a domestic violence victim as at medium risk in January 2025. The victim's request for a restraining order was denied based on this risk categorization. She was killed by her ex-partner three weeks later in a house fire on 9 February 2025.
What happened
In January 2025, a woman from Benalmádena, Spain reported threats and alleged violence from her ex-partner to police. She was interviewed and her case registered with VioGén, Spain's algorithmic risk assessment tool for domestic violence, which categorized her as at 'medium' risk.
Lina requested a restraining order from a specialist gender violence court in Málaga, which was denied. Three weeks later, her ex-partner allegedly used his key to enter her home and set it on fire. Lina died in the fire on 9 February 2025, while her children escaped.
Reported impact
Lina was killed despite reporting threats to police and being processed through VioGén. Her 11-year-old son reportedly told police his father was responsible for her death and for setting the house on fire.
Index analysis
Spain introduced VioGén in July 2007 to protect women from domestic violence. Police rely on the algorithm's results 95% of the time according to Ministry of the Interior statistics. However, reports show many women labelled as low or no risk by the system experienced further abuse, while dozens were murdered.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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