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In Bad Faith

Inside a Secret Ultra-Orthodox Sect and the Brutal Betrayal It Tried to Hide

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In Bad Faith

By: Dassi Erlich
Narrated by: Dassi Erlich
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About this listen

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 DAVITT AWARD FOR NON-FICTION

This powerful memoir gives extraordinary insight into a secretive sect, and the horror Dassi Erlich had to survive. Dassi's resilience and fight for justice is inspiring.

As a young girl growing up in a strict ultra-Orthodox family, Dassi's life was preordained - marry young, live a devout life and raise children within the Adass community's religious rules. This righteous path would keep her safe from the immodest, secular world just a few blocks away in suburban Melbourne.

But the Adass community was not safe for Dassi.

She was fifteen when her revered school principal, Malka Leifer, started to single her out. Dassi's cloistered and harsh upbringing meant she didn't have the words for what was happening to her, but she knew it was very, very wrong. It would take her years to break free of the secrecy which pervaded the community and tell the police of her betrayal. And only then would she find out others, including two of her sisters, had also been abused, and would learn some in the Adass community had helped Leifer flee to Israel. With the only world she knew crumbling around her, Dassi found the strength to fight, leading a brave fifteen-year campaign to bring Leifer back to face Australian courts.

This is Dassi's story.

'I am a sexual abuse survivor, but I am also more than a survivor. I will continue fighting for justice for all victims.'

©2024 Dassi Erlich (P)2024 Hachette Australia Audio Adventurers, Explorers & Survival True Crime Survival Inspiring Scary

Critic Reviews

'What a story . . . Heart-wrenching . . . What is remarkable about Dassi Erlich and her sisters is that somewhere they found the courage to confront what was going on, in their own lives and in other lives' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

'Raw and revealing . . . Beautifully written and eloquently sheds light on the dark times Dassi experienced, breaking down stigmas by openly discussing abuse and mental health' AUSTRALIAN JEWISH NEWS

'Erlich has an exceptional voice, an openness and authority . . . Reading her life is an education. I read with fury, horror and shame. But admiration for the writer outshone everything' THE AGE
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What this woman and her family endured and survived through is beyond extraordinary. The ongoing cruelty and injustices and the way a young girl was so let down by those that are supposed to protect her. It’s clear some parts of the story had to be heavily summarised or glossed over either for legal reasons or as the author explains “to protect the reader” which is a shame but also perhaps we don’t need to make her explain the details and relive her trauma - it’s horrible enough as is

Devastating and heart wrenching

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What a heartbreaking yet powerful story. It has stayed with me long after I finished listening. I can’t shake the juxtaposing feelings I have for Dassie - on the one hand, I feel so gutted for the childhood she endured. I wish she could have experienced having a mother who truly loved her children and would do anything to protect them and keep them from harm. On the other hand, I feel so proud of her long fought for triumph. The evil of Leifer is astonishing. May she rot in hell. The Dassie of today is triumphant in the truest sense of the word. A remarkable woman, a remarkable story, a very well written read. Highly recommend.

Harrowing beyond words

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Dassi Erlich’s story is known to many people internationally . The legal processes and court cases against her abuser was prominent in the media , particularly in Israel and Australia.
In this audio book which she narrates herself very clearly the listener learns of her traumatic upbringing and abuse. I know some people have found her story disturbing. It is however factual and important. She has survived and thrived, and gives hope to those who have endured abuse and associated mental health challenges. She highlights the need to have support services to support vulnerable victims and people in isolated or cult like communities.
I listened comfortably with speed 1.5x

Tragic but so important.

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My heart goes out to these brave girls and the courage and determination they had to get through all those years,

The fact that their parents should never been allowed to raise these children is sickening.

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Didn’t want to put it down!
Life is unfairly way too tough for some children!

Brilliantly written!

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Such openness and honesty about her experiences. An insight into such a secretive and powerful world. Dassi speaks honestly and with a rawness that reaches straight to your heart. Nobody should endure even a fraction of what Dassi and her sisters have endured

The strength shown by Dassi and her sisters is phenomenal

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It saddens me that our justice system still protects perpetrators and not the victims. It’s upsetting that people who make major decisions are part of a tight knit community bound to protect their own. We need to stop the abuse. We need to listen to our children and we need a legal system that protects victim survivors. Dassi, stay strong, be courageous and never give up. ❤️

A brave young lady

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Only onwards and upwards for you and your sisters, Dassie. You are truly remarkable, this was riveting!

Truth be Told

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Powerful and poignant. I am astonished at the courage and strength of Dassi’s story. I was hooked from the first chapter. I can’t recommend this book more highly. 10/10

Ground breaking

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Binged this book in two days! Well written, must read. Incredible strength Dassi. Kol hakovod to the theee brave sisters

Narrator and heroine is amazing

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