Riverside, CA - Paul Edward Lowe, Former Teacher at Taft Elementary School, Facing Charges of Sexual Assault

Student Accuses Former Elementary Teacher of Sexual Assault

According to CBS LA, a student has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse that took place 20 years ago. 61-year-old Paul Edward Lowe was a teacher between 1997 and 2002 at Taft Elementary School located at 959 Mission Grove Pkwy N, Riverside, CA 92506. He also worked at the Los Angeles County and Big Bear YMCAs as an AYSO youth soccer coach. During the early 1990s, he was a private school teacher in Hacienda Heights. Lowe spent time at a youth camp and even wrote children's books under the pen author name of Edric Phoenix. 

The 32-year-old victim alleged that the abuse took place in and off the campus of the Riverside school. The victim was a fourth-grader taught by Lowe during the time of the abuse. 

Lowe was arrested on November 9, 2021, and charged with 14 counts of sexual assault. Police believe that with his extensive history working with children, there may be additional victims.

Can a Victim Sue for Being Sexually Abused by a Teacher?

Attorney contributor Bobby Thompson represents victims of sexual abuse. He often represents students that were sexually abused by their teachers in a civil lawsuit. Recently he responded to the question, can a victim sue for being sexually abused by a teacher?

"Schools and school officials have a responsibility by law to provide a safe environment for the students on their campus. When predators are able to gain positions as teachers, they are awarded undeserved trust and power. This allows them access to vulnerable children, often resulting in acts of sexual abuse. The duty of a school is to prevent the access of such predators by implementing safety precautions such as background checks, security monitoring cameras, and effective reporting. If a school is found to be lacking in their safety precautions and abuse occurs, they can be deemed liable in a lawsuit."

"If a teacher is accused of sexually abusing a student, it is crucial to investigate and determine if the sexual abuse could have been prevented. If prior reports of misconduct went uninvestigated, a school could be considered negligent. An experienced school sexual abuse attorney can help victims and their families to file a lawsuit against negligent schools."

Sources:

CBS LA