The Spanish VioGén system, while innovative in coordinating police response and providing risk assessments for gender-based violence cases, has notable gaps that impact its effectiveness. First, the system’s transparency and accountability are criticized. VioGén’s algorithm automatically assigns a risk level to each case, heavily influencing police protection measures without clear accountability. Police officers seldom deviate from the algorithm’s recommendations, which can limit professional judgment and lead to over-reliance on automated scoring, potentially affecting case-specific responses and victim safety.

Another significant issue is the VioGén questionnaire itself, which is used to gather information during emotionally charged moments. Victims often report their experiences immediately after an incident, which can lead to responses clouded by trauma or confusion. This has led to concerns about the reliability of the input data, as many women struggle to provide accurate details while under distress. The system’s design also includes limited training for officers on effectively communicating the questionnaire’s purpose, leading to inconsistencies in how it’s administered and understood by victims.

Moreover, there is minimal communication with victims about their assessed risk levels, as many victims report they are unaware of their designated risk category or the corresponding protection plans. Addressing these transparency, consistency, and information-sharing gaps is crucial for VioGén’s improvement and better support for victims of gender-based violence.