Hearing underway in Melbourne for alleged child abuser Malka Leifer

A hearing has begun to find if there's enough evidence for former ultra-Orthodox school principal Malka Leifer to stand trial on child sexual abuse charges.

Israeli-born Australian Malka Leifer, right, is brought to a courtroom in Jerusalem in February 2018.

Leifer, a former school principal extradited from Israel, will stand trial on child sexual abuse charges in Melbourne next year. Source: AP

Three women who say they were abused by former ultra-Orthodox school principal Malka Leifer will get their chance to give evidence against her this week.

A hearing is underway in Melbourne Magistrates Court for Leifer who is facing 74 charges including rape and indecent assault allegedly committed while she was head of Melbourne's Adass Israel School between 2004 and 2008.

Sisters Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper are among 10 people expected to give evidence during the committal hearing, which is expected to run until next Monday.
Last year they were granted a court order allowing them to speak publicly and under their real names.

The first of the women has been called to give evidence, which is happening in a closed court with only legal teams, a magistrate and Leifer present.
The siblings had asked to give evidence in person but current coronavirus restrictions mean the entire hearing has to be conducted online.

Leifer is also appearing by videolink, from Melbourne's women's prison, the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.

She .

The committal hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for Leifer to stand trial on 47 indecent assault charges, 13 counts of committing an indecent act with a child, 11 of rape and three of sexually penetrating a child.

On Monday the court heard no Jewish witnesses would give evidence in the hearing on Thursday, which is Yom Kippur, a high holy day.

Permission was also granted for Leifer to not appear in court that day, but for proceedings to continue in her absence.

Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at . supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.


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Published 13 September 2021 6:24pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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