Malka Leifer, a Former School Principal, Has Been Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse.

Malka Leifer, a former principal of the Adass Israel School in Melbourne, has been found guilty of sexually abusing two of her former students after more than a decade of fighting for justice. Nicole Meyer, DassiErlich, and Elly Sapper, who accused Leifer of sexual abuse between 2003 and 2007, won a bittersweet victory on Monday. Leifer fled to Israel in 2008 after allegations were made against her, and she was extradited back to Australia in 2020 to face 27 charges, including ten counts of rape and ten counts of indecent assault. She entered a not-guilty plea to all charges.

The jury found Leifer guilty of 18 charges relating to the abuse of Ms. Erlich and Ms. Sapper after deliberating for 32 hours over nine days, while acquitting her of nine charges, including all five brought by prosecutors over the alleged abuse of Ms. Meyer. The sisters were present in court for the verdict and expressed mixed emotions outside, describing it as a bittersweet victory.

Leifer was appointed principal of the Adass Israel School in 2001 and resigned in 2008 after the allegations were made public. She fled to Israel shortly after, and it took several years to secure her extradition. The sisters had to fight hard to return Leifer to Australia for trial. They travelled to Israel for extradition hearings and met with prime ministers to advocate for Leifer’s release.

Leifer was appointed principal of the Adass Israel School in 2001 and resigned in 2008 after the allegations were made public. She fled to Israel shortly after, and it took several years to secure her extradition. The sisters had to fight hard to return Leifer to Australia for trial. They travelled to Israel for extradition hearings and met with prime ministers to advocate for Leifer’s release.

Aaron Strasser, principal and CEO of Adass Israel School, issued a statement apologising to the sisters and praising their courage in coming forward. Ms. Meyer and Ms. Sapper received confidential payouts from the school, while Ms. Erlich was denied a payout but was awarded damages by the Supreme Court.

The Victorian Jewish community has welcomed the verdict, with Daniel Aghion KC, President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, stating that “This case has revealed extremely dangerous and harmful behaviour.” It should serve as a wake-up call to all community organisations that work with children to do better.” Manny Waks, CEO of Voice Against Child Sexual Abuse (VoiCSA), expressed hope that the verdict would contribute to “long-term healing and well-being” and praised the sisters’ courage in coming forward.

Leifer is scheduled to return to court on April 26 for a pre-sentence hearing. While the verdict provided some closure for the sisters, it is clear that the impact of the abuse they endured will last a long time.