14th February 2025
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Spain overhauls ‘VioGén’ programme used to identify potential victims of domestic violence

The Spanish government has unveiled significant updates to a programme that uses an algorithm to identify potential repeat victims of domestic violence. The decision comes after scrutiny over the system’s effectiveness.

The VioGén programme involves police asking victims a series of questions. The responses are input into software that generates a risk score, from no risk to extreme risk, used to identify those most vulnerable to repeat abuse. The risk level determines the police protection and services provided to each victim.

A 2023 investigation by The New York Times revealed heavy reliance on VioGén by the Spanish police, who rarely challenged the algorithm’s assessments. However, some victims categorised as low or no risk later suffered additional abuse, with dozens tragically losing their lives.

Spain’s Interior Ministry described the changes as part of a scheduled update to the programme, which was first launched in 2007. They credited the system with aiding resource-strapped police departments in protecting at-risk women and reducing repeat violence.

The revamped system, VioGén 2, eliminates the ‘no risk’ category and requires police to input more detailed information about victims. Officials claim these enhancements will improve the accuracy of risk predictions.

Additional measures aim to enhance collaboration among agencies handling gender violence cases, including streamlined information sharing. In some instances, victims will now receive tailored protection plans.

‘Machismo is knocking at our doors and doing so with a violence unlike anything we have seen in a long time,’ stated Equality Minister Ana Redondo at a news briefing on Thursday. ‘It’s not the time to take a step back. It’s time to take a leap forward.’

Spain’s use of algorithms to address gender violence exemplifies a growing trend among governments employing such tools for critical societal decisions, a trend likely to expand with advancements in artificial intelligence. VioGén has been studied as a potential model for other nations seeking to combat violence against women.

Designed to provide an impartial assessment, VioGén relies on a mathematical framework to identify and safeguard overlooked victims. Questions asked include whether weapons were used, economic challenges existed, or the abuser displayed controlling behaviour. Victims identified as high risk receive measures such as regular home patrols, access to shelters, and police monitoring of abusers, while lower-risk cases receive fewer resources.

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