Victoria Driving Instructor Arrested on Allegations of Sexual Assault

Strategic Insights -

Victoria driving school instructor and former Quesnel mayor Steve Wallace has been accused of sexual assault, with dozens of his former students alleging he harassed them while driving school students. The allegations, which date back to the 1980s, claim Wallace took advantage of his position of power to inappropriately touch and speak with the women while alone together in his instructing car. The Victoria Police Department launched an investigation into Wallace in September after the allegations surfaced on an Instagram page.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steve Wallace, a 72-year-old Victoria driving school instructor and former Quesnel mayor, has been arrested on allegations of sexual assault.
  • Dozens of his former students, many of whom were teens at the time, have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment, including inappropriately touching and speaking to them while alone together in his instructing car.
  • The allegations date back to the 1980s and were first reported on an Instagram page in September.
  • The Victoria Police Department and ICBC launched an investigation into Wallace, and he has been prohibited from driving lessons without a third party present and cannot communicate with or go near any of the women named in the allegations.
  • Wallace has not responded to a request for an interview, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
  • He is scheduled to attend court on November 25 and will be required to comply with the conditions of his undertaking notice.
  • Wallace founded Wallace Driving School with his wife in 1976 and has personally taught 25,000 students, according to the school website.

Statistics:

  • 72: the age of Steve Wallace when the allegations against him surfaced.
  • 1980s: the decade in which the allegations of sexual harassment against Wallace took place.
  • 25,000: the number of students Wallace has personally taught since founding Wallace Driving School in 1976.
  • 1976: the year Steve Wallace founded Wallace Driving School with his wife.
  • 1: the date (October 1) on which the Victoria Police Department issued an undertaking notice to Steve Wallace.
  • 25: the date (November 25) on which Steve Wallace is scheduled to attend court.

Sources:

  • Black Press Media
  • Victoria Police Department
  • ICBC
  • Times Colonist
  • Wallace Driving School website
  • Abbotsford News