In Bad Faith

by Dassi Erlich

The true story of Dassi Erlich - a woman who grew up in a closed ultra-Orthodox sect and endured a harsh home life that made her the perfect target for a predatory teacher. It is an honest, harrowing but ultimately inspiring story of survival and the fight for justice.

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

Dassi Erlich grew up in St Kilda East, the fourth of seven children born to parents who had joined one of the strictest ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in the world.

As a girl, her life's journey was preordained - she would marry young, live a devout life, and raise her children within the strict confines of the Adass community's countless religious rules. This strict interpretation of the Torah would see Dassi and her siblings isolated from secular and immodest Australian society. She lived within the eight-block radius that made up the Adass world in Melbourne, where synagogues, schools, shops and doctors all catered for those living an ultra-Orthodox life.

The centre of young Dassi's world was her home and her school. But the real danger for Dassi lay not in the secular world, but in her troubled home and at the very school that should have been her sanctuary.

Dassi was only fifteen years old when the then-principal of Adass Israel Girls School, Malka Leifer, started to pay attention to her. Leifer had her favourites, bringing girls she favoured into the warm sun of her universe. As a girl who had lived without love for so long, Dassi flourished under this attention. She felt valued and important. Until Leifer betrayed her in ways that the cloistered, unworldly Dassi did not understand, but instinctively knew were very, very wrong.

It would take her years to find the courage to tell the police what Malka Leifer did to her. And then Dassi would discover the principal had abused others, including two of her sisters. When the community supported Leifer and helped her avoid justice by putting her on a plane to Israel, Dassi embarked on a remarkable fifteen-year campaign to bring Leifer back.

In April 2023, justice was delivered when a jury found Leifer guilty of serious sexual abuse and then sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for her crimes.

This powerful memoir tells Dassi's story in her own unique voice. It gives extraordinary insight into a secretive sect little known to the outside world, and outlines the harsh upbringing she experienced which made her such a target for the predatory Leifer. Inspiring, harrowing and unforgettable, Dassi Erlich's story is of a courageous survivor learning to move beyond the horror she grew up with, and finding her own way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Audiobook, Religion, Judaism, Autobiography

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2024

Reviews

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have such deep admiration for Dassi Erlich – her bravery, her willingness to record the most intimate details of her abuse by former Principal Malka Leifer and by her parents during her traumatic childhood. Most of all, I am in awe of the work she has done to reach the inner peace she deserves, knowing that her book will inspire others to speak out against the abuse they have suffered or, importantly, have witnessed. Her campaign against the silence of the abused is a testament to her strength and to the support she received from her siblings and friends, from her doctors at The Albert Park Clinic, from local and state politicians here and in Israel, and from the vocal public who stood with her in her decade-long battle to bring Leifer to court to receive her just punishment.

There is no melodrama in her memoir. She creates an intimate and trusting relationship with her readers, allowing her to reveal the horror of her abuse at home and at school as well as its impact on her mental and physical health. Dassi details her years of suicidal thoughts, of believing herself unworthy of life and happiness, of her torment in trying to uphold the tenets of her rigid religious upbringing and its expectations.

For those of us who followed her years of disappointment and the deception on the part of those protecting Leifer here and in Israel, her memoir stands as a “victory” in her fight for justice. We know that she and her sisters have become stronger, the memoir a testament to her survival.

[Andrew Blitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the books I read are for enjoyment, but also to broaden my knowledge and perspective on many important social and cultural issues. Not on this occasion. Before I started reading “in bad faith” I knew it was something I had to do in order to fully comprehend the magnitude of experience of an innocent child falling victim to circumstances that were no fault of her own. I was expecting to be disturbed by the feelings of a young person who suffered sexual abuse and who was simultaneously trapped by an inability to know how and where to turn for support. And I was disturbed. Even further by the compounded and inexcusable coverup in support of the perpetrator orchestrated by senior Jewish community leaders who bring shame and disgrace, a shanda on the community in the name of the Jewish religion.

What strikes me most about Dassi’s story is the depth to which both the emotional and physical abuse shaped her adolescence and how her entrapment within the insular and male controlled Adass community left her with nowhere to turn. Unable to confide in her peers and family, and with no line of social support, she was driven to near suicide. Being thrust into the medical system of a world she had no exposure to became the cause of more unfathomable trauma. At the same time, it opened up a new world for her to experience. Within that world she received the support, education, and social connections that were denied to her youth. With it, her humanity rose above her subjugation.

Full review on https://www.jewgleperth.com/book-refl...

[Louise Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

IN BAD FAITH. By Dassi Erlich
Gee, my head is now spinning. I need to digest every single word of this remarkable, and extraordinarily brave story before talking to our readers about what I have just learnt and read.
I live in Melbourne, Australia and many years ago, a hard to believe, unthinkable drama made our local headlines, a story that was all over our daily newspapers and television. Soon it was something the world needed to hear.
It’s not everyday a female headmaster of an all girls school (just up the street from my home) is accused of sexually assaulting three sisters (together with other girls from the same school that chose to remain silent.)
Dassi Erlich (one of the sisters) recently spent three years writing her story, as she so bravely exposes herself for the world to learn of her horrific childhood, growing up in a closed Ultra Orthodox sect. She pulls no punches, sharing details of her demented, narcissistic, deranged mother and creepy father.
No wonder the Erlich sisters turned to Principal Malka Leifa for some comfort and affection - she was the first person to show the girls some love. Dassi was just fifteen years old and flourished with all this attention. At the time Dassi was unaware of the abuse her two sisters suffered at the hands of Leifa. How were they to know that Leifa was a sick human that took advantage of vulnerable and needy girls, each a perfect target for sexual abuse. How were they to know that once Dassi reported the story to the police that her religious community would whisk her out of the country and it would take a long, painful almost 13 years to finally bring Leifa back to Melbourne to stand trial.
Dassi’s life spiraled out of control, as she faced her demons, not only those from her horrific childhood but mostly from the abuse she endured by her former Principal.
Dassi courageously takes us on a journey of mental health and suicidal thoughts. Years later she is finally able to find her voice and speak out for the millions that remain silent.
Dassi, so often I wanted to climb inside the book to give you a hug, a huge high five, but mostly a thank you for being so brutally honest and utterly courageous in your fight for justice. Your beautiful daughter Lily can be so proud of her mum, the voice for those that need to speak out against sexual abuse.
I can’t wait to hear you speak next week.
An important book that’s deserving of so much praise.
5 stars for me.

[Annette Chidzey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography or graphic personal testimony was given to me by my brother as a recent birthday gift- his advice being he thought I would find it as hard to put down as he did once he commenced it.
I must say his claim was very accurate- the account was compelling, incredulous and equally hard to absorb and process. The level of abuse experienced and endured was mind blowing and very hard to comprehend or contemplate. Dassie’s struggle for justice and her battle to reclaim control of her life and future was testament to the extent of an individual’s human endurance in the face of brutal inhumanity.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘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 book was phenomenal.
When I picked up this book I was familiar with parts of the story from having seen it on the News over the years, so I was excited to learn more or the story. I had no idea how much of the story I didn’t know, and now that I have read this book I am overwhelmed by what Dassi and her sisters went through for all of those years.
Given that I was familiar with parts of this story I knew this was going to be an emotional read; I just underestimated how emotional it was going to be. The raw honesty that fills the pages of this book was utterly moving and at times really difficult to read.
The entire way through this book I was in awe of Dassi strength and determination. I cannot imagine how difficult this book was to right, and it is even more difficult to understand how she found the strength to not only survive but strive after everything she has endured.
Dassi Erlich has done a stunning job with this book. It is honest and heartfelt with both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments of her life revealed so that readers can truly understand the suffering and ultimately the strength that her and her sisters found in order to fight for justice that at times seemed like it would never arrive.
This book is an absolute must-read for everyone.
In Bad Faith by Dassi Erlich is a must-read book that will stay with you long after the final page.

Geramie Kate Brker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Beatrice Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lucid personal account of broken trust and repeated betrayals in childhood, It's aftermath in adulthood including how the persuit of justice impacts negatively on a victims life.
Dassi Erlich chronicles the silencing, secrecy and nauseating hypocrisy within her closed fundamentalist religious sect. How it enabled a sex perpetrator to exploit the vulnerable. She shares her ensueing mental health issues. How victims are often further silenced by the legal system. How in her case this was further compounded, shielding Malka Leifer for years. The course of justice was perverted by persons in power with their own personal agenda

A courageous, compelling telling of the evil that sexual abuse of children is and how it permanently affects all aspects of a victim's life

[Lewis Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about this - on the one hand, it's a harrowing story that deserves to be shared and also I knew very little about. after my fundie Mormon rabbithole a few years ago, I've found I really enjoy books and memoirs dealing with extreme religious groups, whether ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal. potentially because of the court proceedings, I felt the second half was a bit drier than the first half in terms of readability, changing from a intense narrative to more of a recap. 3.5 stars rounded down

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the horrific experiences Dassi and her siblings were subjected to by those they were meant to trust, this a book of optimism. I am in awe at how they managed the devastatingly long pursuit of justice in a system that seems to favour the perpetrator. I found learning about the Jewish rituals interesting especially knowing the exact streets the early book is set in. I followed this case closely at the time and am glad to hear it from Dassi’s reflections. A hugely brave woman and family whose determination will serve to change lives of others.

[Ally Marov]

”As I spoke, I could hear my stilted sentences, and the fear behind them. Leifer's image crowded my mind. My father had touched me, my mother had hurt me. I had thought Mrs Leifer would save me. I had loved and trusted her, but she had betrayed me too. I still couldn't make sense of that betrayal. Could my words bring justice to the warped worlds she had created?”

✨no stars✨
⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK/REVIEW: suicidal thoughts/ideation, child abuse, body shaming, religious trauma, child sexual abuse, miscarriage, self harm, death, grief⚠️

This book was Alyssa’s Self Audible Book Club pick for August.

I first heard of Dassi after watching a news clip of her and her sisters, Nicole and Elly, a couple of years ago. I’m unsure what the clip said but I remembered it being before her abuser, Malka Leifer, was extradited.

Having a brief knowledge of Jewish religion and customs, I didn’t think I’d learn more than what I already knew but it turned out I ended up learning more than what I expected.
As I was reading about her experiences growing up in the Adass/Ultra Orthodox community, the experiences sounded very similar to those that grew up in fundamentalist Christian communities. While I’m from neither of those communities, it was interesting to hear her perspective.

Reading and listening to her childhood/family experiences was quite harrowing, especially when it came to her mother’s actions. Dare I compare Erlich’s mother to Dave Pelzer’s mother in A Child Called It? But it gave the context that was needed in order to understand how this child, at the time, needed someone to be there, someone to nuture her, someone to love her. But was taken advantage of at the worst time of her life.

One thing I’ll say before I finish this off is, I’m not sure if anybody has experienced this on other audiobook platforms but if you’re going to listen to this on Audible, just be aware that there are some glitches in the beginning and there is also a needless pause (I think it’s between the first and second chapter).

Overall, this was a harrowing and triggering read but I’m glad that Dassi shared her story. It’s very rare that you’ll see people come out and talk about female abusers, I hope that Dassi’s story will help to empower both men and women to share their stories 🌻✨

[Emily Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Dassi Erlich's openness, bravery and resilience in telling her story, not only in this book but in the public eye for years, is astonishing and commendable. The first half of this book is brutal, documenting Dassi's abuse at the hands of her parents and then her school principal, and how her childhood was a sort of 'perfect storm' for abuse - raised ultra Orthodox feeling your body does not belong to you, being basically second class as a girl, having no safe adult to turn to in times of strife, no sex education meaning you don't know when things are inappropriate, being in a closed community with a fear of outsiders. The culture and customs of ultra Orthodox Judaism were interesting to learn about, and following Dassi as she gradually questions her upbringing and finds her own truth and path is beautiful to read. This is a heartbreaking story, but is at the same time one of triumph for Dassi and all her siblings.

[Kristygardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dassi Erlich writes vividly of the childhood abuse she endured within her family and at the hands of Malka Leifer and the resulting trauma and battle for justice. Not a fun read and one that I was at times finding hard to keep going with, particularly the last part which was detailing the extradition and legal proceedings. It is a story that I was familiar with through the media attention in Melbourne. Dassi’s ability to articulate her experiences and emotions is incredible. Some things are explained in a way I have not heard before, particularly her experience during the trial. I am in awe of Dassi and her sisters seeing it through to the end and coping with the intense stress.

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve followed this story for a really long time so I’m grateful to get an intimate account from Dassi herself. It’s very raw, truly shocking and in some chapters just heart shattering. While painful, the accounts of how sexual assault can imprint on one’s psyche and change your life forever are hugely important if we ever want to make the world a safe place for children. Dassi, Nicole and Elly should be so proud, I know they are, speaking truth to power and no doubt saving countless kids in the process. This book is an important education piece for those lucky to be ignorant of the impacts of sexual abuse and a source of strength and validation for those that do.

[Shanae Pool · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story!
Dassi is an incredible women with such courage to fight how she did. This was a real insightful novel into some Jewish practices and also into the legal system and how difficult it can be for victims.
Written very well and an easy read in the context of language and craft but challenging in the content and the gruelling experiences of the author.

[Rochelle Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dassi's story of abuse is both shocking and heartbreaking. But at the same time, it is a story of hope and the power of good.
I chuckled at her descriptions of the odd funny moments in life.
An excellent read.

[Chee Chee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dassi Erlich is an incredible survivor. Like many, I followed her story in the media for years. This book gives context and insight into the events around the criminal case, as well as the community she grew up in. She shows how trauma affects the mind and body, and her efforts to overcome and live with these impacts. Her determination to speak out, seek justice and help others is inspiring.

[Erica Klotz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing to read and hard to get your head around such sick evil, not to mention the cover-ups and complicity even in government!
Her parents should have stood trial as well.
I have to acknowledge her bravery in exposing what happened and seeing it through to the conclusion. I hope that this amazing woman will experience only the good things she deserves for the rest of her life.

[Marie Belcredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just right into the first paragraph of this book you will see what this book is about. It's first paragraph is titled "Monster" and describes how Dassi's mother rages about her doll and gets Dassi to fetch a knife which her mother uses to cut off the doll's face. Poor Dassi and her brothers and sisters are captive in this highly dysfunctional family. These children are not allowed to mix with other children and are repeatedly told that they are evil and worthless. What we see is a cult where an elaborate structure of rules and laws enforces misogyny and cruelty.
Instead of self pity, she then goes on to describe how she thought that she might have an ally in Malka Leifer, the school principal but Leifer becomes a sexual predator . Dassi retreats from her body and takes refuge in her thoughts where she separates from her body and the harm that is being wrought upon it.
This is a story about mental harm and resilience where Dassi learns to trust others to help her and the law that finally ended up in extraditing Leifer from her refuge in Israel to face court in Australia. We see how cruel the court system is where the defense lawyer Ian Hill is allowed to bully the girls, subjecting them to days of attack on every item of their statement, no matter how trivial and pouncing on any mistake they make under these conditions.
There are still people who have not had to face the law who helped Leifer escape to Israel. These people shielded Leifer knowing that she was a pedophile and are still at large.
Altogether a searingly honest and courageous book.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the documentary at MIFF about three sisters who fought for 13 years to have their ex-principal and abuser Malka Leifer to be extradited back to Australia from Israel. It was a fantastic doco that really gave a voice for these sisters - Elly, Nicole and Dassi and depicts the mental and emotional strain going through their court case to even achieve a conviction.

Hence I raced to the library to get Dassi’s story. Dassi outlines the verbal and emotional abuse at the hands of their mother, the ‘tight hugs’ with her dad, and how it laid the groundwork - along with their strict religious upbringing - for the sisters to fall for the manipulations of Leifer. The three grew up in an ultra-Orthodox community, Adass Israel which had very strict gendered rules. The three has to be modest, obedient and weren’t educated about sex, relationships and consent, except just before they marry (as soon as they finish high school).

I have got to hand it to Dassi for telling her story in a way that manages to convey the abuse while not going into too much detail. The way she describes how disassociation works for a survivor was also enlightening. I’m in awe of the strength for her to find a way to keep living. I just truly hope she and her sisters can get peace and recovery from the trauma they’ve been put through.

[Ann Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this memoir about a traumatic childhood spent in a very strict, ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect in Melbourne known as the Adass Community. Erlich and her siblings were psychologically & physically abused by their mother who had a mental illness, she was sexually abused by her father and so she spent childhood living in fear & uncertainty. She was later befriended, actually preyed on and sexually abused by Malka Leifer, the principal of the school she attended, and, as later came to light, so were two of her sisters. The memoir describes the disassociation & trauma suffered from such dreadful experiences, but her refusal to give in & her ultimate campaign for justice over 15 years is awe-inspiring. I remember this story playing out in the media over a long period of time, but nothing prepared you for the horror and disappointment of what went on leading up to the perpetrator’s ultimate extradition to Australia and her eventual prison sentence.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished In Bad Faith and was mortified by the details of the Orthodox upbringing that the author suffered. In a psychiatric hospital in her early 20s Dassi couldn't believe what she saw from her window, just a couple of kilometres from her home, she had lived her whole life within the few streets of East St. Kilda where her tribe resides. It reminds me so much of the Exclusive Brethren, of which I have some knowledge via a friend. Keep the women at home until they get a marriage offer as soon as they leave school, keep them totally within the community, ban outside friends as evil, use tradespeople, doctors, food providers, etc who are also in the cult so they never get to see how people live 'outside', don't let them go to university or TAFE, ban TV, newspapers and radio, ban secular books. Dassi's upbringing was nothing short of child abuse. I'd like someone to convince me of all the good that religion supposedly does in the world.....

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-rendering memoir, In Bad Faith (2024) by Dassi Erlich is a difficult read as an abuse survivor tells her story in her own words. For over a decade and numerous court cases, the extradition process of a former school principal from Israel back to Australia, captured the world media. Finally, in 2023, Maika Leifer the former principal of the Adass Israel School school in Melbourne went on trial in the Supreme Court. The tragic history of the three Erlich sisters' suffering was revealed in court making it a cautionary tale of a personal tragedy with political and religious interference complicating the survivors' journey. Ultimately, the strength and willingness of Dassi to reclaim her life, identity and some semblance of justice make for a remarkable heartfelt, if at times despondent, five star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

[Stephanie Bierens · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful and harrowing story of a young girl named Dassi who grew up in an ultra orthodox community called Adass in Caulfield right near hawthorn road and glen Rita so close to home who experienced an awful upbringing filled with abuse from her parents and neglect paired with the sexual abuse inflicted upon her by her old school principal Malka lefier! What an amazing act of bravery and courage to share her story and move away from the strict and tumultuous upbringing she was subjected too! So glad I read this book as it is an incredible story of never giving up and continuing to fight for those who don’t have a voice! I have to say I was outraged by some of the legal processes and proceedings that allow perpetrators to be set free and honestly it seems harder to be a victim and to have a story or conviction shown then it is for a perpetrator to face justice ! I rate this book 4.5 starts 🌟

[Ashleigh Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to finally get my hand on this memoir, unfortunately while reading this book it was obvious that Erlich is not a natural gifted writer or someone with writing experience. The writing was flat, not displaying any emotion just stating fact after fact. Considering the subject matter the flat writing failed to make me feel anything emotions, which is a shame.
Bad things happen, there are a lot of horrible people in the world, the justice system is horrible, victims are forever being blamed and it’s disgusting. You don’t need to read this book to know that, this common knowledge to all either through lived experience or learned through friends and family.
Furthermore I feel the Erlich experienced quite a lot of privilege; great access to education and medical care, legal representation, finances. It would have been nice to have this recognised by the author, the narrative gets very repetitive when you only focus on negatives.
This book is a skip for me.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing, honest, raw, gut-wrenching survivor's account of child abuse - and the plethora of emotions it stirs up, even many years later into adulthood. The exploration of the role religious beliefs played throughout it all was fascinating and shone a sad, but all too familiar light, on the abuse of power that often occurs amongst faith leaders, teachers, parents... those we should trust.

I knew nothing about Dassi, this sect or the perpetrator so it was a very, interesting but difficult, read.

The feeling I had after reading it was one of admiration for Dassi's sheer fortitude and perseverance. For her to dedicate so much time to advocacy, all whilst continuing on her own healing journey, is incredible.

Multiple trigger warnings as child sexual abuse, self harm, suicide and religious trauma discussed in detail.

[Susannah PK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dassi Erlich is a very earnest, passionate and emotive writer.
Her book at times, bought me to tears.
Her recounting of time frames and the trauma she suffered, not just at the hands of the convicted female abuser (who I will not name here), but also, the untimely death well of her beloved sister.

Relatable, raw and significantly harrowing, I have nothing but kindness and love towards the author/survivor. If you read this- Dassi- please know that I am so proud of your bravery, passion and resilience

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the early part of the book, about Dassi's childhood, her parents' and Malka Leifer's abuse of this innocent & good child fascinating and horrifying.
The book is really well written and conveys her young life vividly. We recognise her as a very capable and intelligent young woman.
We also learn about the Addas community.
I found the details of bringing Malka to justice a bit tedious, but then it highlighted the 15 year effort it took to bring her to trial and also how the victims suffered during this period. Also, how courageous they were.

[Jen Mactaggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for sharing her harrowing story. I read the article in The Monthly about this case (which is one of the longest essays I've ever seen in that publication) and it was a privilege to share in Dassi's story to provide context to legalese. The writing in her memoir is excellent. Dassi is an important advocate for abuse survivors and I wish her well as she continues to recover from her traumatic childhood and adolescence.

[Fofi Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in Melbourne I was familiar with this case but after reading this surprisingly well written memoir I was completely horrified at what this family went through. We used to live near the area where the sisters grew up and to think that such horrors existed close by left me so angry and sorrowful. Karma is a bitch and one day circumstances will conspire to make this abuser understand the trauma that she caused ( whether it is in this life or the next) for that is the law of the universe.

[Vannessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book packs a punch and its details are very harrowing. Absolutely gut-wrenching account of child abuse at home, school and in the community, and its long-term physical, mental and emotional effects, but also the attempts to secure justice and to talk openly about abuse and what children need and should have from those tasked with ensuring their safety and wellbeing. It's very well structured and written.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed the sisters story from Australian Story, the paper, the news over the years and how this incredible heartbreaking story has unfolded. This book that Dassi has written gives you an insight into everything that was going on in her life, alot now having read we all had no clue of. It is a powerful read that I think will haunt me forever. The courage of these girls is so powerful. I applaud you.