For nearly a decade, Brett Benson taught music in Minnesota public schools while allegedly grooming and manipulating teenage girls under the guise of mentorship. A detailed police investigation found that he cultivated inappropriate relationships with students across two school districts, exchanged sexual messages with some after they turned 18, and even had alleged sexual contact with one on her last day of high school.

But here’s the gut punch: despite a two-year police investigation, no criminal charges were filed. And despite multiple red flags raised by teachers, nothing was reported. Why? Because at the time, Minnesota law didn’t make it a crime for a teacher to pursue sexual contact with an 18-year-old student. Because “grooming” isn’t illegal. Because even mandated reporters—teachers and administrators—often look the other way.

We need that to change.

We’re calling on the Minnesota Legislature to create a standalone criminal statute that clearly defines and outlaws grooming by educators. This would empower law enforcement to intervene before abuse escalates, not just after. We're also urging lawmakers to extend the statute of limitations for survivors to report grooming and maltreatment, especially when it’s uncovered years later.

And we’re asking the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board and Superintendent Mary Kreger to take responsibility. That means mandatory annual training on recognizing grooming behavior, stronger chaperone policies for field trips, and public transparency when teachers are placed under investigation. Schools must not protect reputations at the expense of student safety.

It took one brave student, not a staff member, to finally sound the alarm. But it never should have gotten that far. The systems meant to protect kids—laws, schools, policies—failed them.

We can’t fix the past. But we can make sure it never happens again.

Sign this petition to demand real legal and institutional accountability for grooming by educators in Minnesota.

Photo via mprnews.org