A dangerous legal loophole is putting children at risk
Learning to drive is a pivotal moment in a child's life but a dangerous gap in the law is leaving children at risk of being abused.
Under the Sexual Offences Act (2003) the position of trust law, makes it illegal for certain professions to engage in sexual activity with a 16 or 17 year old in their care. Teachers, faith leaders and sports coaches are included in this law but driving instructors and private tutors are not.
what we are campaigning for
The Sexual Offences Act (2003) to include driving instructors and private tutors as positions of trust
All driving instructors must receive mandatory safeguarding training
An independent complaints body is introduced for the driving instructor industry
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Why it matters
In the UK, you can learn to drive from the age of 17 or 16 if you are in receipt of some benefits. For most children, driving lessons will take place in one on one settings, with the child left alone with their instructors for a long period of time. Instructors also have access to the child's personal details including their phone number and home or college address. Although, many instructors provide a safe experience for children, some are using their position to groom and sexually abuse their students with no legal repercussions.
Adults that work with children are expected to undertake safeguarding training, to gain the skills and knowledge they need to keep children safe. Currently, driving instructors do not need to complete any safeguarding training meaning they are not equipped to protect the young people that they teach.
The current complaints procedure asks for children to disclose concerns or complaints directly to their driving school before informing the DVSA. This approach asks for a child to confront an adult in authority, creating a barrier to reporting and increasing the pressure on the child. A trauma informed independent complaints body would ensure that children feel safe and supported to report abuse.
Media Spotlight
Explore news and media linked to Emergency Stop below. Please note, some of these articles contain descriptions of abuse.
BBC News
The Instructor Podcast
BBC Look North
Media Enquiries
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