PODCAST «NZZ AKZENT» - An Algorithm to Protect Women – It Failed in Amal's Case

Spain is recognized globally for its efforts in preventing femicides, largely attributed to its early warning system known as Viogén. However, a recent tragedy involving the death of 30-year-old Amal and her two children has raised critical questions about the system's effectiveness.

On June 29, 2024, police discovered Amal and her children deceased in a small Spanish village. Her ex-husband, the father of the children, was subsequently arrested. For years, Amal had endured abuse from her ex-husband and had filed multiple police reports against him. This history of violence was known to the authorities and was inputted into the Viogén system.

The Viogén system is designed to assess the likelihood of a perpetrator reoffending violently, with the aim of providing better protection for women. In Amal's case, despite the documented history of abuse and her separation from the perpetrator, the system apparently failed to flag the extreme risk she was in.

NZZ foreign correspondent Julia Monn discusses the details of Amal's case and explores the boundaries of programs like Viogén. The incident underscores the complex challenges in predicting and preventing domestic violence, even with sophisticated technological tools in place.