New twist: Malka Leifer survivor condemns community protest outside home of new victim after settling fresh abuse claims out of court

The ultra-orthodox Adass Israel School is set to pay legal fees of a new victim of pedophile principal Malka Leifer.

Convicted pedophile Malka Leifer. Picture: Ynet News

One of three Melbourne sisters who fought for 15 years to see her former principal face justice for child sex abuse, has condemned the emergence of protesters outside the home of another victim on the eve of her civil case in the Victorian Supreme court.

Malka Leifer was convicted of abusing Dassi Erlich and her sister Elly Sapper when they were teenagers and young adults in April, following a six-week criminal trial in the state’s County Court.

Ms Erlich criticised members of the Adass community who drove and parked their cars outside Jamie Hart’s (a pseudonym) family home to protest the night before her civil case reached court on Tuesday when it was subsequently settled.

“It is incredibly disheartening to see that despite the guilty verdict, certain members of the Adass community continue to employ intimidation tactics against another survivor in the civil case surrounding Malka Leifer,” Ms Erlich told The Australian.

“This reality of these tactics really highlights the persistence of the cycle of silence, fear, and injustice that survivors have endured for far too long. What more does it take for meaningful change? There is a desperate need for systemic reform in the community,” she said.

A Voice against Child Sex Abuse spokesman told The Australian a number of cars were witnessed at 9pm on Monday night arriving outside the family home.

“There were members of the Adass community inside, they were clearly there for the purpose of protest but then they dispersed,” he said.

Overnight, child sex abuse survivor and victim advocate Manny Waks shared screenshots of WhatsApp messages, reportedly from members of the ultra-orthodox community, that read “we are organising a protest outside the house tonight 9pm”.

Another message read: “trying to get at least 20 people”.

Mr Waks condemned the protest.

“We note with disgust that a protest was organised by members of the Adass Israel community this evening, outside the family home of the alleged victim/survivor, in an effort to intimidate and pressure her from pursuing justice,” he said.

“VoiCSA expresses its unequivocal support for the Plaintiff in the matter. The courageous Plaintiff is yet another victim/survivor who was allegedly sexually abused by Malka Leifer. She is suing the Adass Israel School (where Leifer was Principal).”

President of Maoz, the safeguarding unit in the Jewish community, Dr Michelle Meyer, said it was appalling that members of the community had planned to protest the civil action.

“There are other survivors of abuse living in the community. If this is how their community shuns survivors, especially if they have stayed in the community or their family has, they may not come forward,” she said.

Ms Meyer has worked closely with Ms Erlich, and attended most hearings during Leifer’s criminal trial.

On Tuesday, the court heard both parties involved in the matter were “dotting I’s and crossing T’s”, the plaintiff’s barrister Stephen McCredie said.

“I am pleased to indicate that the parties have largely resolved the matter,” he said.

Sisters Elly Sapper, Nicole Meyer and Dassi Erlich speak outside Victorian County Court after a mixed verdict in the trial for accused former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Justice Melinda Richards congratulated them, and while there are some terms yet to be agreed upon it is expected the school will pay the victim’s legal costs, the court heard.

“I appreciate it was a difficult thing for both sides to do, the court is very appreciative,” Judge Richards said.

The case against Leifer, the first defendant listed in the matter before the school, was discontinued.

Leifer was found guilty of 18 out of 27 sexual abuse charges relating to two Melbourne sisters Elly Sapper and Dassi Erlich following a criminal trial in Victoria’s County Court in April.

The jury found Leifer not guilty of nine charges relating to the sister’s sibling, Nicole Meyer.