Adass Israel School’s last-minute settlement against new alleged victim of Malka Leifer

The principal of a Melbourne school once led by paedophile principal Malka Leifer has sought to clear up it’s reputation after a secret settlement over new claims.

Malka Leifer appearing before County Court during her trial. Picture: Paul Tyquin

A Melbourne school once ruled by paedophile Malka Liefer says it has “zero tolerance for abuse” after an 11th-hour behind-closed-doors settlement with another alleged victim.

Adass Israel School was set to fight fresh allegations against the former principal in Victoria’s Supreme Court on Tuesday after a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, launched a civil case against the school.

But the judge-alone trial, which was expected to last up to 10 days, was called off when the woman’s lawyer Thomas McCredie announced a resolution had been reached.

Following the settlement, Aaron Strasser, Principal and CEO Adass Israel School, said he hopes the resolution “can begin the process of healing” for the former student.

“The safety and wellbeing of students are our highest priorities, and we have zero tolerance for abuse of any kind,” Mr Strasser said.

Former Adass Israel School principal, paedophile Malka Leifer. Picture: Paul Tyquin

“As a registered Victorian school, Adass Israel School is compliant with the Child Safe Standards, particularly regarding responding to and reporting allegations of suspected child abuse.”

Leifer, 56, who was principal of the Adass Israel School, was in April found guilty of rape and assault against sisters Elli Sapper and Dassi Erlich from 2003 to 2007.

Allegations were also brought by a third sister, Nicole Meyer, but Leifer was acquitted of the five charges.

Ms Meyer and Ms Sapper received confidential payouts from the school. Ms Erlich was denied a payout but was awarded $1,024,428 in damages by the Supreme Court in 2015.

In court on Tuesday, the alleged victim’s lawyer Thomas McCredie did not reveal what the resolution involved but the Herald Sun understands the school will pay a substantial settlement which is likely to remain confidential.

Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth congratulated each of the parties on coming to a resolution.

“I appreciate that this was a difficult thing to do,” she said.

It comes as a protest was allegedly co-ordinated at the home of the alleged victim of the eve of her civil trial.

Screenshots which claim to show a protest being organised outside the house of an alleged child abuse survivor.

A child sexual assault advocate has blasted members of the Adass community, claiming a protest was organised on Monday night outside the family home of the alleged victim.

Voice Against Child Sexual Abuse chief executive Manny Waks said the protest was orchestrated “in an effort to intimidate and pressure her from pursuing justice”.

“This follows rumours circulating among the Adass Israel community that the School’s insurer will not indemnify it and that it faces potential bankruptcy if it is unsuccessful in the matter,” he said in a public statement.

He claimed that on Monday evening “frantic messages were sent around the community” that identified the woman and “rallied members of the community”.

One screenshot of a message reads:

“We are organising a protest outside the house tonight 9pm. Trying to get at least 20 people. . Please! It’s a serious situation! We have 15 people but need much more!”

The Herald Sun understands some protesters showed up at the home but remained in their cars.

Mr Waks said his advocacy group had brought the issue to the attention of the Supreme Court via the alleged victim’s lawyers.

“VoiCSA stands with the brave victim/survivor. We strongly condemn the members of the Adass community involved in tonight’s shameful actions,” Mr Waks said on Monday night.

Principal Strasser called on community members to respect legal proceedings.

“In response to rumours of a planned protest, the school appealed to our wider community to respect the legal process and not take any such action,” he said.

Leifer, who fled to Israel from Australia sparking a lengthy extradition process, will be sentenced in the County Court at a later date.