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Two women who suffered sexual assault at the hands of their driving instructor have spoken out, urging stronger oversight within the driving instruction profession. Phoebe Horrocks and Morgane Chapman were among several victims abused by Michael Florek, who was convicted of sexually assaulting five pupils between 2016 and 2021 before taking his own life.
The Wiltshire-based charity Fear Free, which focuses on combating sexual violence, has emphasized that children deserve protection when in a car comparable to what they receive in classrooms. To push for legal reform, the charity launched the Emergency Stop petition. Meanwhile, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) condemned any sexually inappropriate conduct by instructors as “unacceptable,” confirming that it continues to review its policies on the matter.
Phoebe and Morgane first met when taking lessons with the same instructor in Gloucestershire, though they did not know each other at the time. Phoebe described their initial impression of Florek as polite, saying, “He seemed like a normal guy in his 60s.” However, she was quickly subjected to unwanted touching and inappropriate stories, experiences that left her deeply shaken. Morgane, aged 17 at the time, recounted invasive questions and physical assault, saying, “He touched my breast, he touched my inner thigh tightly. I just completely froze. I didn’t know what to do.” Both women reported the abuse years later and testified in court, leading to Florek’s suspended sentence and a decade-long ban from instructing.
Now campaigning publicly, Phoebe and Morgane have waived their right to anonymity and are calling for teaching driving instructors are legally recognized as occupying a “position of trust” under the Sex Offences Act. This status, held by professions such as teachers and sports coaches, would criminalize any sexual activity with learners aged 16 or 17—even if consensual. Phoebe stressed, “We would really like driving instructors to be included as those in positions of trust within the Sex Offences Act,” highlighting the active role instructors play in young people’s development. The Driving Instructors’ Association (DIA) expressed openness to this change and noted that instructors can already be deregistered in cases of inappropriate relationships. The group has also lobbied for mandatory safeguarding training for instructors, reflecting a growing awareness of the need to protect learners.
Despite government updates in 2022 expanding “position of trust” laws to include certain faith group leaders and sports coaches, driving instructors were not added to the list. The existing regulations demand instructors undergo criminal record checks prior to registration, with the DVSA reiterating their commitment to safeguarding learner safety. Fear Free’s CEO Debbie Beadle emphasized that for many young people, learning to drive—a milestone moment—should not be overshadowed by fear, stating, “The law must recognise the unique vulnerability of young learners.” Through their advocacy efforts, Phoebe and Morgane have found a way to reclaim their experiences, with Phoebe sharing, “We have changed the tables. We’ve taken ownership of what happened to us. And we’ve got rid of the shame that came with it. We’ve owned our story.”
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