Malka Leifer Suspected of Sexually Assaulting Inmate in Australia

Malka Leifer, the former teacher extradited from Israel to Australia in 2021 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping two of her students, is now suspected of committing new sexual offenses behind bars — offenses reportedly captured on the prison’s security cameras.

According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the incident occurred in late July in the high-security unit of a prison on the outskirts of Melbourne. Leifer, who is serving a 15-year sentence, was allegedly filmed sexually assaulting a young Aboriginal inmate in her 20s.

A source familiar with the unusual incident told the Daily Mail that the assault took place in a section of the prison where inmates are kept separated from each other. The source also claimed that Leifer had previously been seen kissing another female prisoner serving time for human trafficking.

Under Strict Conditions — but With Special Privileges

The report noted that the assault occurred despite Leifer’s confinement under strict conditions: she was severely restricted in her contact with other inmates and was required to remain in a small cell for 23 hours a day.

However, Leifer reportedly enjoyed privileges denied to other prisoners in the same high-security wing — including access to a microwave, cooking equipment, special food orders every Thursday, and even permission to bake challah bread.

Convicted of Abusing Her Students

In 2021, an Australian court sentenced Leifer to 15 years in prison for raping and sexually abusing two sisters — Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper — who were her students at the Melbourne school she ran.

Leifer fled to Israel after the sisters reported her, triggering a lengthy legal battle over her extradition. After six years of legal proceedings, she was returned to Australia to stand trial, where she was ultimately convicted.