The ex-wife of a former South Australia Police detective has accused the force of protecting her abusive partner for years, claiming her cries for help were ignored while he continued to serve in uniform.
Stella Magnisalis says she endured five years of calculated abuse at the hands of Matthew Alan Thomson, who was convicted on Tuesday, June 17 of multiple assault charges — including aggravated assault causing harm — for offences committed between April 2013 and February 2018.
He was sentenced to over two years in prison, with a non-parole period of 12 months.
Magnisalis told 9News her former husband, once considered a respected detective, was shielded by colleagues.
“When an abuser wears a badge, who holds them accountable?” she said. “This is not toxic masculinity, this is not a toxic relationship … it is manipulation, calculated, premeditated violence by someone once seen as a pillar of our community.”
Now an advocate for other survivors, Magnisalis is demanding an internal inquiry into what she calls a police “boys’ club” culture. She also called for better training within the police force to recognise and handle domestic violence.
South Australia Police said it has “robust” internal procedures but declined to comment on whether it had taken specific action in response to Magnisalis’ claims.
Source: 9News
