Domestic violence incidents increased by 13 per cent in 2024, SA Police data reveals

New data from SA Police shows a staggering increase in domestic violence incidents over the past year, just days away from a landmark Royal Commission.

Domestic violence incidents in South Australia increased by 13 per cent in the past year, new SA Police data has revealed, as the state prepares for a royal commission into the epidemic.

Rolling year-on-year crime statistics show a surge in family and domestic abuse related offences, with 12,465 reported to police between April 2023 and April 2024 – an increase of 1479 on the year prior.

Last month, a new domestic violence hub opened in the northern suburbs in conjunction with SA Police, giving women greater access to vital services, support and information.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the hub would improve services to victim-survivors of domestic violence, particularly when it came to reporting.

“The role of police at the Northern Multi-Agency Hub will include facilitation of information sharing to victims and their children; delivery of disclosures under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme and ‘police station’ services for victims in terms of taking reports, statements and intervention order applications,” he said.

The data comes ahead of a $3 million probe into domestic violence to be lead by respected advocate Natasha Stott Despoja AO, with the 12 month royal commission to investigate how better to protect women and children.

Proceedings formally commence on July 1, with five key themes – prevention, intervention, response, recovery and co-ordination – to be examined.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says a new domestic violence hub in the northern suburbs will help victim-survivors have greater access to reporting. Picture: Tom Huntley

Natasha Stott Despoja will head SA’s royal commission into domestic violence. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Crime statistics also revealed a 6.3 per cent increase in petrol drive-off offences, from 8432 to 8967 in the corresponding period.

Data related to all theft – including petrol and retail – showed a 9 per cent increase between April 2023 and 2024.

Mr Stevens said socio-economic factors and the cost of living crisis was believed to be behind the increasing numbers of offenders, and said fuel theft was entirely preventable if retailers implemented a pre-pay system for purchases.

Adelaide’s northern suburbs consistently have the highest recorded rates for fuel theft incidents, followed by the western suburbs.

In April, Paralowie, Smithfield and Hilton all recorded 18 offences and Para Hills West and Gepps Cross recorded 16 offences each.

“Police have been working intensively with the fuel retail industry for more than a decade to reduce offending, encouraging retailers to introduce crime prevention measures to deter such incidents,’’ Mr Stevens said.

SA Police also recorded a growing number of incidents involving violence towards police, with a significant 23 per cent increase over the rolling year period.

More than 600 offences were reported, compared with 498 in the previous period.

Serious criminal trespass offences again showed minor increases with residential break-ins recording a 4 per cent increase – 215 offences – and non-residential a 7 per cent increase – 238 offences – during the period.

Sexual assault and related offences showed a slight decrease of 2 per cent, down to 2404 offences recorded, compared with 2461 in the previous period.

Other offences against the person decreased by 7 per cent to 1645 offences compared with 1772 in the previous period.