Gregory Ward, a 46-year-old tutor from South Seattle, faces serious allegations of raping a 13-year-old student in a restaurant restroom. Prosecutors claim that Ward built a relationship with the girl while tutoring through City Year, leading to the shocking incident on December 30. The victim believed she was meeting Ward to receive a package, only to be coerced into a sexual act that he recorded. Afterward, Ward allegedly instructed her to delete messages and keep the encounter a secret. Concerned about their daughter’s well-being, her family contacted the police after discovering her in a compromising situation with Ward.

Experts from the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center emphasize the critical importance of community communication to combat child sexual abuse. In 2023, the center supported over 4,800 survivors, with a significant percentage being children and teens. This case highlights the necessity of recognizing grooming behaviors and fostering open discussions about sexual assault to protect vulnerable populations.