Protective measures by former students of Miss Hall's School, aimed at safeguarding teenagers from potentially dangerous educators.
Last week, a report by Maine law firm Aleta detailed allegations of sexual misconduct against a former teacher named Matthew Rutledge at Miss Hall's School. The report, which goes back to the 1940s, uncovered cases of sexual misconduct by other former staffers against students.
The Berkshire District Attorney's Office opened an investigation into Rutledge's allegations in October, but concluded no crime had occurred due to the accusers being at least 16 years old. Rutledge, who has also been accused of grooming three other former students for sex, is unlikely to be charged with a crime due to the age of consent in Massachusetts being 16.
Melissa Fares, one of Rutledge's accusers, reported his sexual abuse and exploitation to the school administration in March 2024. She subsequently filed a civil lawsuit last October against Rutledge, Miss Hall's School, former head of school Jeannie Norris, and three other women affiliated with the school. Fares expressed frustration that Rutledge will not be prosecuted due to the age of consent in Massachusetts.
The report found that school leadership failed to act on multiple reports of Rutledge's inappropriate relationships and interactions with students. In response, Julie Heaton, the current Head of School at Miss Hall's School, issued an apology, admitting that the school failed to protect the wellbeing of students.
Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon, who allege they were preyed upon by Rutledge, felt validated by the report but found little closure. Simon is convinced that Rutledge knew the age of consent in Massachusetts is 16 and used it as a defense.
State Representative Leigh Davis and state Senator Joan Lovely, both Democrats, are sponsoring bills aimed at making it a crime for adults in positions of authority or trust to have sex with older teenagers, even if the state's age of consent is 16. Fares and Simon are working to support this bill, hoping it will hold teachers in positions of power criminally responsible, even if the student has reached the age of consent.
The Miss Hall's School Board of Trustees released a statement regarding Fares' lawsuit, expressing their deep regret for the harm caused to the students and their commitment to ensuring the school's safety and integrity.
Fares is aware that amending the law will not clear a path for prosecuting Rutledge, but hopes it will protect future students from abuse of power. Despite the ongoing case against Rutledge and the school, Fares and Simon remain determined to seek justice and reform. A lawyer for Rutledge declined to comment.
