Former Coach at Private Christian School in Saskatoon Charged with Sexual Assault and Exploitation of a Minor (Saskatoon, Canada)

Aaron Benneweis, former athletic director at Christian Centre Academy in Saskatoon, now known as Legacy Christian Academy, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor. Police confirmed the charges in January 2023, following a report received in August 2022 that alleged incidents occurred between 2008 and 2012. The accused, who resides in Edmonton, turned himself in to Saskatoon Police Service on Jan. 31, 2023, and was released on conditions. Benneweis is scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on March 13, 2023.

The allegations involve a minor at the time, with the accused and victim known to one another through their association with a Saskatoon faith-based institution. The charges mark a significant development in ongoing concerns about the conduct of individuals within Christian educational and ministry settings.

Benneweis has also been named as a defendant in a proposed class-action lawsuit filed against Legacy Christian Academy and Mile Two Church. The lawsuit, initiated last summer, follows a CBC News investigation that revealed 18 former students had filed criminal complaints. These reports include allegations of paddlings, coercion, traumatizing rituals, and solitary confinement. Dozens of additional complainants have since come forward.

The lawsuit has not yet been tested in court, and the class action is still awaiting certification. The case highlights the need for accountability and transparency in institutions that serve minors, particularly those with a religious or educational mandate.

The allegations underscore the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring that those in positions of influence are held to the highest standards of conduct. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on justice, mercy, and the protection of those who have been affected.

Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humility in service to others. This story reminds us of the responsibility to care for the vulnerable and to seek truth in all matters.

Source: Read the original report