‘Telling my story:’ Publication ban lifted for former Legacy Christian Academy student

A former student at Saskatoon’s Legacy Christian Academy who says she was a victim of sexual assault can now be identified.

Jennifer Beaudry, 27, made an application in provincial court to allow for her name to be published after a ban was automatically placed on any information identifying her. The complainants in sexual assault cases are automatically protected by a publication ban unless they apply for the ban to be lifted.

On Thursday morning, a judge granted Beaudry’s application.

“The judge asked me to come forward and make my request, so I just let him know who I was and that I was requesting the ban be lifted so I can continue telling me story,” said Beaudry.

“Nobody had any problems with that, so they lifted the publication ban right then and there, and the order was enforceable on the spot.”

Beaudry said she feels good about her decision.

“I’m able to continue telling my story like I voiced before, with my face and my name to it. I know it helps myself and other people, which has been my goal in all of this,” she added.

Beaudry went to Saskatoon police in August of 2022 with allegations against a former coach at Legacy Christian Academy.

In January, 46-year-old Edmonton resident Aaron Benneweis turned himself in to Saskatoon police. He’s been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor while in a position of trust.

The assaults allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2012, and Benneweis is scheduled to make a plea in Saskatoon Provincial Court on April 20.

Beaudry said she’s happy the court process is moving faster than she thought it would.

“It’s been healing and bringing a lot of closure, which is exactly what I needed,” she said.

A number of former students at Legacy Christian Academy have come forward with serious allegations of abuse, and many have joined together in a class-action lawsuit seeking millions in damages from the school, its former staff, and the affiliated church.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.