elpais.com
Cometa" System Malfunctions Endanger 4,515 Women
A report by five Cometa employees reveals critical flaws in a new domestic violence monitoring system, impacting 4,515 women's safety and leading to legal setbacks due to faulty GPS data and device manipulation.
- What are the most significant consequences of the reported malfunctions in the Cometa system?
- The faulty GPS data leads to inaccurate location information, resulting in erroneous reports to courts and authorities. Device manipulation allows aggressors to remove bracelets undetected, compromising victim safety. This has caused victims to lose court cases due to flawed evidence and diminished trust in the system.
- How did the transition to the new system from Vodafone and Securitas exacerbate existing issues?
- The new system, replacing Telefónica and Securitas Direct, introduced significant hardware and software problems. A data transfer error resulted in a gap of information prior to March 20, 2024, impacting an unknown number of court cases. The new devices are easier to manipulate, and material shortages lead to hasty repairs and the reuse of faulty components.
- What are the long-term implications of these malfunctions for victims and the effectiveness of the system?
- Continued malfunctions erode victim trust and the system's deterrent effect. The system's unreliability undermines legal proceedings, potentially leading to reduced usage and ultimately jeopardizing the safety of women under protection. The lack of reliable data undermines the credibility of the system with law enforcement and the courts.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the issues surrounding the malfunctioning anti-abuse bracelets, including perspectives from workers, victims, and the responsible parties. While it highlights the significant problems with the new system, it also mentions attempts by the responsible parties to address the situation and acknowledges that some reports were sent to the Delegate for Gender-Based Violence. The narrative structure does not appear to favor one side over another.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. The article uses descriptive terms to explain the technical issues, such as "imprecise geographic location" and "frozen position." There is some use of emotionally charged language when describing the impact on victims ("revictimization," "loss of credibility"), but this is presented as a consequence of the system's failures rather than as a biased statement.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including specific numbers of victims affected by the system's failures, the exact number of failed court cases due to faulty data, and a more detailed account of the responses from the responsible parties. However, the lack of this detailed information might be due to limitations in data availability or space constraints rather than intentional bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the malfunctioning of electronic devices intended to protect victims of gender-based violence. The flaws in the system, including inaccurate GPS data, easily manipulated devices, and communication barriers, directly undermine the safety and legal protection of these women. This negatively impacts efforts to achieve gender equality and end violence against women.