Driving instructors no longer allowed to have sexual relationships with their 17 year old pupils

[StealthPolarBear]

I am shocked this was ever allowed. Not only are they in a position of power but the young person is shut in a car with them individually.

I agree with this law as well. In an ideal world it wouldn't be necessary, because all driving instructors would be non predatory but that obviously isn't the case.
fatalattractions my sister was a driving instructor, a lot of women preferred to ask for a woman instructor. Many girls have already experienced unwelcome attention , often intimidating or even violent, and yes it does make you wary of men and certain situations. Lots of women ask for female cab drivers as well, why do you think that is?

Good.

I have been driving for over 30 years and I still remember my driving instructors. First one was a woman who kept trying to get me to look at and touch her body - (said whilst pulling top right down and getting all of boobs right out) oh look, my boobs got a bit of sun, have a look, hopefully they won’t peel, I should put moisturiser on the, do you ever put moisturiser on your boobs, it feels great doesn’t it, if I had some on me you could pop it on etc. Told parents, they requested different instructor. Sleazy 40 odd year old who would touch my leg as I drove and pester me non-stop about going to a disco with him and it was ok as he would buy me all the alcohol I wanted, I was underage obviously. Again, complained to parents who now thought I must be difficult about learning to drive and must be making this shit up. Third time lucky with an old guy who behaved properly.

What is it with driving instructors?

I imagine the reason why it was legal in the past is that, generally (for obvious reasons) it's legal for a person to make a pass at whoever they choose, as long as they're of sufficient age. This is not the same as harassment which is illegal regardless of who does it to whom. In very particular relationships, e.g teacher and pupil, sexual relations was banned because of the clear conflict with good professional practice, but this was limited. When I went to university in the 90s it was quite legal for academics to have sexual relationships with students. The attitude, as I recall, was that they were all adults and it was no one else's business who they slept with.

We are now seeing much more of view that all adults in particular defined groups need protecting regardless of their own views. I'm not saying this is wrong, just commenting that it is a very discernable trend.

Fwiw, something that clearly is no one else's business is who one chooses as a driving instructor. If that means no men for that person, so be it. If I'm going to share a confined space with a person, I need to feel comfortable with them.