Abuse of Position: Sports Instructor Accused of Harming Five Vulnerable Residents

The State Attorney's Office filed an indictment today, Wednesday, at the Central District Court in Lod against 52-year-old sports instructor Gilboa Dahan of Netanya. He is accused of committing sex offenses against residents of a facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities during his sports sessions.

According to the indictment filed by Adv. Tal Gingis Gershon of the Central District Attorney's Office, Dahan, who conducted sports classes and walking groups at the facility three times a week, exploited his position and proximity to the vulnerable residents. On various occasions, he committed indecent acts against five residents with intellectual impairments.

The indictment states that Dahan carried out these acts during routine exercises and the use of equipment, sometimes even in the presence of staff members. The prosecution has requested that the court order his continued detention until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

"There is a fear that he will endanger public safety, and in particular the public of vulnerable individuals, since he exploited the victims' disabilities by virtue of his status as a teacher and his proximity to them, and made blatant use of their bodies to satisfy his needs," the prosecution stated.

The prosecutor emphasized that Dahan chose victims he considered "easy prey," knowing they were unable to report his actions, and believed his conduct would go undetected. A gag order remains in place prohibiting the publication of the facility's name.