Accused Headmistress Fled: Vic Court

By Caitlin Guilfoyle
The Australian
May 8, 2015

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/school-helped-headmistress-flee-vic-court/story-fn3dxiwe-1227346805391

A COMMITTEE linked to an orthodox Jewish school organised for a "manipulative" headmistress accused of sexually abusing female students to fly overseas, a Melbourne court has heard.

FORMER committee member Mair Ernst admits his wife Hadassa arranged plane tickets for then Adass Israel School headmistress Malka Leifer, so she could leave for Israel in 2008.

"We had accusations only and very, very little information that Mrs Leifer had molested girls," he told the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday.

The school and Ms Leifer are being sued by an ex-student who says she was sexually abused up to several times a week from age 15.

Last August Ms Leifer was arrested in Israel and is facing extradition to Australia.

Mr Ernst said the committee met urgently when the allegations surfaced in 2008, and a "collective" decision was made to arrange flights for Ms Leifer and her family.

"She was manipulative and we wanted to do everything possible to protect these poor girls," he said.

He couldn't remember how the flights were paid.

The committee decided to suspend Ms Leifer at that time and a report was made to police.

Ms Leifer was invited to go to the committee meeting, but became "rude and aggressive" and "denied everything" when the allegations were discussed and didn't attend, he said.

He said he didn't think the committee had apologised to the ex-student who made the formal complaint and sued Ms Leifer.

Students and teachers at the school were offered extensive counselling and support after the alleged behaviour came to light, Mr Ernst said.

The hearing continues before Justice John Rush.