South Australia Police have arrested a further 70 domestic violence offenders in the seventh dedicated and statewide anti-domestic abuse operation.
SAPOL's Operation Storm Days of Action in April 2026 saw police target 351 offenders, attending 443 addresses targeting domestic violence perpetrators regarding outstanding investigations, intervention orders, bail compliance and providing support pathways to reduce future offending.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Philip Newitt said since Operation Storm began in July 2024, police have investigated2,470 domestic violence offenders in South Australia over a nominated 14-week period. Police attended 2,948 addresses with a total of 519 arrests and 131 offenders reported for a total of 993 offences.
Officers conducted 384 bail compliance checks, undertook 34 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance searches with 135 intervention orders issued. There have been 21 stalking cautions issued, 144 arrest warrants cleared and 922 support referrals have been made for offenders to access rehabilitation services.
"Our proactive approach to domestic abuse through continuous compliance checks and searches continues to deter ongoing offending," Acting Deputy Commissioner Newitt said.
"The recent two-week operation employed a deterrence approach towards perpetrators, with 117 support referrals made for offenders to access rehabilitation services.
"As a result, some individuals accessed the SAPOL website to obtain support material, indicating offenders are willing to access services to seek assistance in modifying their behaviour.
"This operation shows our commitment to preventing domestic abuse. We will not only take actions against offenders who pose a threat to victims, but also proactively identify opportunities to refer offenders to behaviour change programs and other supports."
Over the latest operation, in April, 374 police officers across all areas in South Australia completed:
- 51 bail compliance checks,
- charged people for 116 offences,
- cleared 92 reported incidents,
- executed 26 warrants for the various domestic abuse-related offences,
- conducted 3 firearm prohibition order compliance searches
- issued 3 stalking cautions.
Police attended the home of a 29-year-old male from the far north of the State and arrested him for a serious assault of his female partner. The male was charged with assault causing harm, 3 counts of aggravated assault, 3 counts of breaching an intervention order and assault/resist police. The male was remanded in custody, and the victim is receiving assistance from local support services.
Police attended a house where a 48-year-old male from the eastern suburbs of Adelaide was on home detention for previous domestic violence-related assault charges on his female ex-partner, resulting in a further arrest for aggravated assault, breach of intervention order and breach of bail. The male has been remanded in custody since his arrest.
Police attended an address in the Barossa Valley and arrested a 76-year-old male who had indecently assaulted his wife, subsequently breaching his intervention order. The male perpetrator has been placed on home detention and is due to appear in court in June.
Operation Storm continues to hold individuals who choose to engage in domestic abuse accountable, with specific and measurable targets, as outlined it the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of abusive behaviour by one person again another. It occurs in all social, age and cultural groups. It can occur in any relationship:
- Boyfriends, girlfriends, partners, husbands or wives
- Ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, ex-partners, ex-husbands or ex-wives
- Carers or paid support workers
- Parents, guardians or other family members
- Adult children
- Other people you live with.
Domestic Abuse includes physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, property damage, financial abuse, threats to harm, and stalking.
Domestic Abuse is damaging to victims, their children, family and friends.
South Australia Police support victims of domestic abuse and attends domestic abuse situations.
The highest priority is given to the protection and ongoing safety of victims and their children.
"SAPOL is committed to continuing Operation Storm to reduce rates of perpetration, including incidents of intimate partner homicide," Acting Deputy Commissioner Newitt said.
"We continue to work collaboratively with other services in a multi-agency response to domestic abuse."
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme enables people who are in a relationship or third parties who are concerned about someone who may be at risk of domestic violence to ask for information about a partner or former partner.
All members of our community have a right to be safe. Contact police or go to a family violence provider if you or someone you know if experiencing family violence.
