Lawyers to argue sentencing for Sask. Christian school coach who sexually assaulted teen
CBC
Warning: This story contains some details of sexual exploitation
Jennifer Beaudry has been waiting years for Aaron Benneweis to face consequences for his criminal actions.
Today she's another step closer to justice.
Benneweis was a coach and athletic director at a private Christian school in Saskatoon formerly called Christian Centre Academy. The school is now known as Legacy Christian Academy.
Beaudry was a student and athlete at the school. She said Benneweis began making eyes at her in 2008, when she was 13 years old, and his behaviour escalated to secret meet-ups and sexual touching until 2012.
In October 2023, Benneweis pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting and exploiting the teen.
His defence lawyer and a Crown prosecutor are expected to submit their arguments about what an appropriate sentence would be for Benneweis in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday afternoon.
Beaudry told CBC News on Wednesday she feels ready to read her victim impact statement, which details how Benneweis's actions changed her life, in front of him in court.
"I just really hope it hits him like a brick wall, in that this is a serious crime [he has] committed and whatever [his] excuses are, are garbage," she said.
"I really want him to see how this has affected me. I want him to see the reality and the severity of his actions and his behaviours, and I want to let him know that I'm not OK with it."
Typically, the media cannot name victims of sexual assault, but Beaudry received permission from the court to have her name published so she could tell her story and fight for justice.
Beaudry hasn't seen Benneweis since 2013 — the year she graduated and he was removed from the school. The offences were reported to school officials that year, after one of Beaudry's friends told their mom what was happening.
The offences were then reported to Pastor Keith Johnson, the leader of the school and adjacent church at the time, and Beaudry was called in to tell the pastor and her parents what had happened.
Benneweis was removed from the school almost immediately and eventually moved away from Saskatoon with his family.
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