Prosecutors in Massachusetts are examining deeply troubling new evidence following the release of a report that uncovers decades of sexual abuse at an elite boarding school. The investigation details allegations against a teacher who was shielded from prosecution by the state's age of consent law.
A Culture of Abuse and Inaction
Miss Hall's School in Pittsfield, an institution charging up to $75,600 per year for international boarders, commissioned a law firm last year to investigate historical misconduct claims. The resulting 60-page report, made public in August, concluded that history teacher Matthew Rutledge abused at least five students over a period of two decades. The report further found that school administrators repeatedly failed to act on clear warnings about his behaviour.
Investigators substantiated allegations against seven other former employees, revealing a widespread pattern of misconduct spanning many years. The report characterised Rutledge as a 'polarising' figure and documented his engagement in 'grooming behavior, sexual advances, sexual touching, and forcible oral and vaginal intercourse'.
Survivors' Harrowing Accounts
One survivor recounted that Rutledge had sexual contact with her multiple times during her junior and senior years, including incidents 'at his house when she was babysitting his children, in his classroom, and in other rooms on campus'. Another described how, on her graduation day, Rutledge pulled her into his classroom, gave her a letter and a gift, hugged her for an extended time, kissed her, and told her he loved her. This same student later endured what she described as 'forceful' and 'animalistic' assaults.
The abuse was often maintained through threats and coercion. One student stated Rutledge threatened to kill himself if she reported him, while another was made to believe she would not gain university admission if she spoke out. Shockingly, in the 1990s, a senior student was punished for stating that Rutledge was 'having sex' with international students and was forced to write an apology letter.
Systemic Failures and Legal Loopholes
The report found that former school leaders failed to adequately respond and properly investigate allegations, even after seeking legal advice. Concerns raised to the Board President were similarly not investigated properly. The school's culture allegedly suppressed reports, with students at an all-school meeting being warned not to gossip or face disciplinary action.
Matthew Rutledge resigned in March 2024 after the allegations became public. The claims first surfaced when former student Melissa Fares posted on social media that Rutledge had sexually assaulted her between 2007 and 2010. Hilary Simon later came forward, describing how Rutledge kissed her and professed his love for her at her graduation in 2005.
Critically, the grooming described by both women began when they were 14 or 15, escalating to sexual contact after they turned 16—the legal age of consent in Massachusetts. This law effectively shielded Rutledge from criminal prosecution. Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue stated last year, 'While the alleged behavior is profoundly troubling, it is not illegal.' Massachusetts is one of only 11 US states where consent laws allow teachers to claim sexual relationships with students as legal once the student turns 16.
The district attorney's office has confirmed the case remains open and is reviewing new evidence from the report, which was based on 146 interviews. Meanwhile, survivors like Fares and Simon have testified before state lawmakers, urging the passage of a bill that would prevent teachers and other authority figures from using consent as a defence in sexual relationships with minors.
Miss Hall's School has since apologised, settled some legal claims, and implemented new staff training and guidelines for student-teacher interactions. In a letter to the community, the school's trustees expressed being 'profoundly grateful' to the survivors for their courage and 'deeply sorry for all they endured.'
