Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Sep 16, 2024
Steve Graves, a long-time teacher in the Anaheim Union High School District, has been accused by a former student of fathering her child when she was only a minor. The disturbing sexual abuse allegations against Graves span decades and actually involve two former students, highlighting not only the odious nature of predator grooming, but also the long-lasting impact of such abuse on survivors.
Two former students, Reiko Wright and Helen Lowney, have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Steve Graves, a teacher who has worked in the Anaheim Union High School District for over 20 years.
Wright took to Instagram with a powerful post asserting that Graves not only abused her, but also impregnated her when she was a teenager in the late 1980s.
“For 37 years, I lived in the shadows of silence, shadows cast by the towering façade of a respected teacher, a pious Christian leader, pillar of his community. While you saw him as a beacon of guidance and faith, I knew him as the predator who stole my innocence, impregnated me as a teenager, and left scars that run deeper than time,” survivor Reiko Wright said on Instagram.
“His charm, his charisma, his ‘nice guy’ vibe, these were the weapons he used to weave himself into the fabric of my life. He was the teacher who lingered at your child’s desk a moment too long, the church leader who offered whispered condolences cloaked in concern, the neighbor who stopped for a friendly chat on your doorstep. He was the wolf in sheep’s clothing, and the sheep, it seems, were all too eager to trust the wool,” Wright added.
Additionally, second survivor Helen Lowney alleges she was sexually abused by Graves in 1987 when she was 16 years old.
The timeline of the sexual abuse accusations against teacher Steve Graves is deeply troubling:
Upon learning of these allegations, the Anaheim Union High School District reportedly took the following action:
The district released a statement emphasizing their commitment to student safety and core values, describing the alleged sexual misconduct as “reprehensible.” They also revealed that paternity tests had confirmed Graves as the father of a child with one of the former students.
“Keeping our students safe is a high priority on all of our campuses,” the district said. “The sexual misconduct revealed in the social media posts is reprehensible. It violates the district’s core values and fails to meet the high expectations we have for professional behavior by our staff,” the statement read.
Graves also taught at Anaheim’s Ball Junior High School in recent years, and police are investigating the potential for more victims.
The Anaheim Police Department has launched an investigation into teacher Steve Graves. Anaheim police spokesperson, Sergeant Matt Sutter, told the Los Angeles Times that Wright and Lowney were friends at Loara High at the time of the alleged sexual abuse. Sergeant Sutter added that both intend to pursue legal action against Graves if possible.
Sutter also noted that no other victims have come forward since detectives began investigating, but authorities are seeking additional survivors.
“We are working with [the] D.A.’s office to see if we can file any charges,” Sergeant Sutter told the LA Times. “At the same time, we are giving time to see if witnesses come forward or additional victims.”
Anaheim Police officials are urging anyone with information about a sex crime committed by teacher Steve Graves to immediately contact:
The psychological impact of teacher sexual abuse on students can be severe and long-lasting. Survivors often struggle with trust issues, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In Wright’s case, the abuse reportedly led to additional social consequences when she transferred to Gilbert High School, where she faced shaming from classmates during her pregnancy.
Support for survivors is crucial. Professional counseling, support groups, and advocacy organizations can play a vital role in the healing process.
Prosecuting older cases of teacher sexual abuse can present unique challenges (although that should never deter survivors from coming forward):
However, DNA evidence and paternity tests can be powerful tools in such cases. In the Graves case, paternity tests have provided crucial evidence to support the allegations.
Grooming is a process predators use to gain trust and access to potential victims. In educational settings, this might include:
In her Instagram post, Reiko Wright effectively articulated how Graves used his position as a teacher and church leader to groom her, highlighting how predators can exploit multiple roles of authority.
After the allegations against Steve Graves surfaced, school sexual abuse lawyer Sam Dordulian noted that the troubling pattern of abuse as well as the time needed for survivors to come forward are two factors commonly found in these types of cases.
“Sexual predators will often re-offend, and the effects on survivors can be so traumatic that it commonly takes decades to process the crime and eventually come forward. This is one of many reasons why California’s new AB 452 Justice for Survivors Act, which eliminates the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse civil claims, was passed. It’s critical that survivors are not held to arbitrary deadlines that can impact whether they secure justice,” Dordulian said.
Reporting Sexual Abuse in Schools: Steps for Students and Families
If you suspect or have experienced sexual abuse in a school setting:
Remember, coming forward with information can help prevent future abuse and support justice for survivors.
The Scott Graves Anaheim teacher sexual abuse case serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in our educational institutions. By understanding the signs of abuse, supporting survivors, and taking swift action when allegations arise, we can work towards creating safer learning environments for all students.
Dordulian Law Group is a top-rated and trusted Anaheim child sexual abuse firm representing survivors in all case types. We offer a unique type of legal representation which includes a four-tiered team of professionals known as the SAJE Team.
D Law Group clients have 24/7 access to the full SAJE Team support network:
D Law Group’s California child sexual abuse lawyers recently secured a $2 million settlement for a child sexual abuse survivor as well as a $1 million settlement for a teacher sexual abuse survivor who suffered emotional trauma when her teacher would constantly brush up against her chest whenever he handed her something in class. These are just two of several examples of how survivors of childhood sexual abuse have obtained justice on their own terms under new California laws expanding the deadline for filing civil claims.
Some additional DLG sex crime victories obtained recently include:
While exact statistics are difficult to obtain due to underreporting, studies suggest that educator sexual abuse is a significant problem. A 2004 report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education found that nearly 10% of students experience some form of sexual misconduct by school employees during their K-12 years.
Yes, schools can potentially be held liable if they knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to take appropriate action. This is why it's crucial for schools to have robust prevention and reporting policies in place.
Long-term effects of teacher sexual abuse can include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulty forming healthy relationships, substance abuse issues, and academic or career challenges. The impact can persist well into adulthood, affecting various aspects of a survivor's life.
Schools can implement comprehensive background checks, provide regular training on appropriate boundaries, establish clear reporting procedures, and create a culture where students feel safe coming forward with concerns. Regular supervision and accountability measures for staff are also crucial.
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
Do you have a case? Let's find out.
