<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ex-wife of a former police officer convicted of abusing her for years claims he was protected by his colleagues in uniform.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stella Magnisalis survived five years of torment from her ex-husband Matthew Alan Thomson while he served as a South Australia Police detective.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pheobe-bishop-human-remains-found-in-national-park-identified-as-missing-bundaberg-teenager/67b4c00c-8408-4c52-892b-778d5433b2ad" target="_blank"><strong><span>Human remains found in national park identified as Pheobe Bishop</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was sentenced today to just over two years in jail with a non-parole period of 12 months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is understood Thomson has no plans to appeal his sentence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But it's cold comfort after Magnisalis' desperate pleas for help fell on deaf ears in the SA Police.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/stella-magnisalis-claims-convicted-south-australia-police-officer-ex-husband-was-protected-by-colleagues-in-uniform/8f194095-a1eb-4dd4-8a1f-1fe4bf5b7311" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/auburn-kebab-shop-shooting-cctv-captures-moment-gunmen-opened-fire-and-injured-three-people/87671454-9fd6-4470-bc6f-4c55c73130c7" target="_blank"><strong><span>Underworld figure shot in kebab shop hit survived three other attempts</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Magnisalis said her ex-husband, once a decorated detective, was protected by his mates in blue for years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When an abuser wears a badge, who holds them accountable?" Magnisalis told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Magnisalis now wants an internal investigation into the police force she describes as a "boys club".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The structure doesn't just fail victims, it enables abuse, like a cult," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/foxtrot-delta-tango-what-it-means-why-used-political-statement-explained/aa4cf955-bafa-4711-a7c6-2f266cc57ff3" target="_blank"><strong><span>The military code being used to mock Donald Trump</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After facing her abuser in court, Magnisalis is determined to help advocate for other survivors.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She is also calling for police officers to be better equipped to deal with domestic violence offenders.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Officers are ill-equipped, ill-prepared and simply just not trained," Magnisalis said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"How many of us will die before they listen?"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My voice is my power and I'm using it to demand truth, justice and change."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>SA Police said the force has "robust" internal processes in place but would not reveal how they have responded to Magnisalis' claims.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div>