INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: Spain’s Andalusia To Use Artificial Intelligence Programme For Cases Of Gender Violence

By Cristina Hodgson • 22 January 2020 • 17:56

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: Spain’s Andalusia To Use Artificial Intelligence Programme To Detect The Voice Of A Possible Victim Of Gender Violence Credit: Shutterstock

THE Andalusian Health Services have created a specific team to detect and follow up on cases of gender-based violence.

The initiative will pilot an artificial intelligence program to detect, by voice, if a woman is a possible victim of abuse. The actual programme has already been used in other places, but it will be the first time it’s used in Andalusia.

Currently, when health care providers suspected that a patient might be a victim of gender-based violence, they notify a judge and from then on the whole process is, more often than not, swamped with paperwork.

In an attempt to do away with the endless bureaucracy, the objective is to “to provide a solution within 24 hours; that potential victims do not get lost in administrative limbo or that they regret it” Explains Health Delegate, Carlos Bautista, adding that “”Doctors and nurses are in a privileged situation for the detection of gender violence, and this opportunity to aid victims of gender violence must not be missed.”

The current teams to launch this initiative are made up of two nurses, a psychologist and a social worker who will attend, not only the direct victim of gender violence, but also to the children in the victim’s care.

The idea is that these professionals, in addition to making the immediate intervention, if the abuse is confirmed, the will follow up on each case.

The advantage of using the artificial intelligence program to detect, by voice, if a woman is a possible victim of abuse, is because a large number of victims will not admit that the injury they suffer is a consequence of abuse.

With the necessary data and proof, the support teams will be able to facilitate the access of the alleged victim to economic, social, legal and psychological support in less than 24 hours.

The initiative is being developed throughout Andalusia and has received European funding. The initial budget is four million euros, but as it advances its implementation will increase to 11. The programme is promoted by the Junta de Andalucía and has already started in the Málaga Healthcare District, but in the future two more groups will be created.