Exploited His Position: Sports Instructor Accused of Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities

The State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Gilboa Dahan, a 52-year-old sports instructor from Netanya, for indecent acts against five female residents with intellectual disabilities at the facility where he worked. Dahan allegedly exploited his position and his proximity to helpless residents, committing the acts during sports classes. The prosecution requested his detention until the end of proceedings, citing concerns for public safety. Dahan denies the allegations.

The State Prosecutor's Office today (Wednesday) filed an indictment with the Central District Court in Lod against Gilboa Dahan, 52, from Netanya, a sports instructor at a residential facility for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. According to the indictment, filed by attorney Tal Gingis Gershon from the Central District Attorney's Office, Dahan exploited his position and his closeness to helpless residents and committed indecent acts against five female residents with intellectual disabilities, during sports classes and walking groups he led three times a week. The acts included rubbing his genitals using a resident's hand, pinching and fondling breasts, sometimes in the presence of a staff member. The prosecution requested to extend his detention until the end of proceedings, arguing that he may endanger the public, especially the helpless. Attorney Gingis Gershon emphasized that Dahan chose victims who were 'easy prey' for him, knowing they could not report. The investigation began following covert documentation by Kfar Saba station investigators, not based on a resident's testimony. Dahan rejects the suspicions and claims that any contact was in the context of assistance. Police are checking if there are additional cases, as Dahan was also employed in other frameworks.