Malka Leifer in court by video
Malka Leifer’s brother watched the Committal Mention at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning from Israel conducted via video link.
Malka Leifer, a former school principal, who is wanted on 74 charges of sexual abuse in Melbourne, Australia, is escorted into the Jerusalem District Court. Jerusalem, Jun 14, 2018. Photo by Hillel Maeir/TPS
Leifer is facing 74 charges of child sexual abuse,
A Committal Hearing was scheduled for 5 days from 13 September 2021 with 10 witnesses to give evidence. It was noted that the complainants Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper, intended to give evidence in person at that hearing rather than remotely. It is possible that Leifer will also be present in court at the Committal Hearing.
Leifer’s lawyers provided a glimpse into their defence strategy, indicating that they would focus on the complainants’ difficult upbringing and their relationship with their mother, which they argue was the ‘genesis for the relationship between the accused and the complainants’.
There was no application made for bail.
Child sexual abuse advocate Mannie Waks said: “Today’s hearing is another step in the long fight for justice and a timely reminder of how difficult it is for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to have their alleged abuser brought to justice. Of concern, we note Leifer’s defence intends to interrogate the complainants’ home life in a bid to explain the relationship between Leifer and the girls and we must remind ourselves that victims of child sexual abuse are never to blame and cannot consent to sexual activity with adults, particularly where there is a severe imbalance of power.”
