In Massachusetts, girls have come forward with devastating stories of abuse by the very people meant to protect them — their teachers.

At Miss Hall’s School, former teacher Matthew Rutledge is accused of grooming and sexually abusing multiple students, beginning when they were just 16 years old. When the case first came to light, prosecutors declined to bring charges — because under current law, those students were considered old enough to consent.

This is not just one case. It is a warning sign of a system that is failing students.

Schools and educational institutions must be places of safety — not environments where power can be abused without accountability.

We call on Massachusetts lawmakers, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and school administrators statewide to take immediate action to:

Strengthen oversight and regularly audit schools for misconduct risks
Implement clear safeguards and reporting systems for students
Ensure independent investigations of abuse allegations
Close legal gaps that allow authority figures to exploit students
Every student deserves to feel safe in their classroom.

Sign this petition to demand justice, protection, and accountability for girls in Massachusetts schools.