A 12-year struggle for justice ends as Leifer found guilty

The verdicts, the timelines and the implications of the trial of former Adass Israel principal Malka Leifer, one of the most notorious cases of abuse in the history of Australia's Jewish community.

Yesterday’s verdict by a Melbourne jury, which found Malka Leifer guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse, is a belated vindication of Dassi Erlich’s 12-year campaign for justice.

The verdict is a testament to Erlich’s unwavering courage and tenacity, initially waging an individual campaign, in which she was later joined by her two sisters, Elly Sapper and Nicole Meyer, after they also told police that Leifer had abused them too.

But there are mixed feelings for the three sisters after the jury found their former school principal guilty of 18 offences against Erlich and Sapper during 2003-07 but acquitted her on the five charges that related to Meyer.

For Erlich and Sapper, there is relief and vindication, tinged with disappointment and compassion after the jury acquitted Leifer of the charges against their sister. For Meyer, the verdict will be a bitter pill, after the joint harrowing experience the three had endured in recent years as they tried every avenue to have Leifer extradited from Israel to face our judicial system.

"Yes, it's bittersweet, but she is guilty," Meyer said outside court, holding hands with her sisters. "I believe in myself. My sisters believe in me."