Domestic abuse shouldn’t be left to police algorithms, victims of abuse deserve better

By Gabrielle Richardson

Published April 22, 2025In: Family - Domestic Violence

If you’re suffering from domestic abuse, including coercive or financial control you don’t have to stay silent. Help is available through our domestic abuse solicitors as well as the police.

Why legal support is crucial for victims of domestic abuse

Algorithms are being used to make judgements and streamline so many things, but that doesn’t mean they should be. In domestic abuse, reliance on algorithms can have severe consequences. The tragic case of Lina, a mother and domestic abuse victim from Spain proves as much.

Lina's story: A system's failure

In January 2025, Lina reported her ex-partner to the police in Benalmádena, Spain, as he was making threats and harassing her. Her situation was assessed by the police using VioGén, a tool designed to evaluate the risk of domestic violence. Based on Lina’s responses to the standardised questionnaire, VioGén said she was medium risk, meaning she would be followed up by the police 30 days later. If the algorithm had said she was high risk, they would have followed up within a week.

Despite her plea for a restraining order, her request was denied. Left without legal protection, she changed the locks to protect herself and her children. Tragically, just three weeks later Lina was murdered, her ex-partner allegedly entered her home and set it on fire.

How domestic abuse risk is assessed in the UK

In the UK, risk assessments are used in domestic abuse cases, but with emphasis on professional judgement and multi-agency support.

The police and frontline professionals use the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-Based Violence checklist (DASH checklist).

The DASH checklist includes 27 questions aimed at learning about:

Physical violence, coercive control and sexual abuse
Emotional abuse and isolation
Threats and intimidation
Access to weapons
Patterns of jealousy, stalking or harassment
Victim's own perception of risk (“Do you think they will try to kill you? Is it getting worse for you?”)

The checklist is done with the person to assess their risk level - standard, medium, or high risk of serious harm or homicide. High-risk cases are typically referred to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), where police, social workers, legal advisers, housing officers and support workers create a safety plan.

The key difference with the case of Lina is that in the UK DASH provides structure for professionals supporting victims of abuse but it’s not an algorithm. It is to be used with human judgment – and with the voices of sufferers at the centre.

Why legal support Is essential

Lina’s story shows that a risk assessment isn’t enough to keep people safe. It should only be one part of a wider safeguarding assessment and strategy. Even in medium and low risk cases victims can be in danger — especially if there are patterns of coercive control or an escalation of adverse behaviour.

By working with a domestic abuse solicitor, people are able to access options like:

Non-Molestation Orders – to prevent the perpetrator from contacting or approaching them
Occupation Orders – to remove the perpetrator from the family home
Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) – which provide emergency protection issued by the police and approved by a magistrates’ court

We are able to build a detailed case to evidence what someone is going through and work with support services to keep them safe from harm.

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, including but not limited to violence, manipulation, or control, help is available. You don’t have to wait for a risk score to get help. Our domestic abuse solicitors are here to support you with compassion and professionalism.