The ex-wife of a former police officer convicted of abusing her for years claims he was protected by his colleagues in uniform.
Stella Magnisalis survived five years of torment from her ex-husband Matthew Alan Thomson while he served as a South Australia Police detective.
Thomson, 42, was convicted in a SA court of one count of assault, four counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated assault causing harm between April 2013 and February 2018.
He was sentenced today to just over two years in jail with a non-parole period of 12 months.
It is understood Thomson has no plans to appeal his sentence.
But it’s cold comfort after Magnisalis’ desperate pleas for help fell on deaf ears in the SA Police.
Magnisalis said her ex-husband, once a decorated detective, was protected by his mates in blue for years.
“When an abuser wears a badge, who holds them accountable?” Magnisalis told 9News.
“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.”
Magnisalis now wants an internal investigation into the police force she describes as a “boys club”.
“The structure doesn’t just fail victims, it enables abuse, like a cult,” she said.
After facing her abuser in court, Magnisalis is determined to help advocate for other survivors.
She is also calling for police officers to be better equipped to deal with domestic violence offenders.
“Officers are ill-equipped, ill-prepared and simply just not trained,” Magnisalis said.
“How many of us will die before they listen?”
“My voice is my power and I’m using it to demand truth, justice and change.”
SA Police said the force has “robust” internal processes in place but would not reveal how they have responded to Magnisalis’ claims.
