At the 2024 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) Global Summit, we were joined by so many incredible leaders and trailblazers fighting to end sexual exploitation. It was such an honor to work, learn, and strategize among all of them.
In particular, we were overjoyed to present awards to six extraordinary individuals who have truly made an indelible mark on the movement and the world: Tricia Grant, Tanya Gould, Melinda Tankard Reist, Aaron Crowley, Chris McKenna, and Tim Estes.
Tricia Grant: Catalyst Award
Tricia’s relentless dedication and groundbreaking work have significantly advanced the fight against human trafficking and exploitation in the United States.
Tricia was a major driving force behind the state of Maine passing the first Nordic Model prostitution reform legislation in the country (increasingly called the Survival Model). This critical legislation provides help for survivors, recognizing them not as criminals but as individuals in need of support and healing. It also increases penalties for those who cause the most harm: sex buyers and traffickers. This milestone achievement in Maine sets a precedent, and we are confident that many more states will follow suit in coming years.
In addition to this monumental work, Tricia has worked to prevent the full decriminalization of prostitution from passing across the United States, especially in the Northeast. Her efforts have been pivotal in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from further exploitation.
Tricia Grant is the Executive Director of Just Love Worldwide and a State Legislative Advisor for NCOSE. She is also the Founder and Director of If Only 1. As a survivor of domestic minor sex trafficking, Tricia has transformed her experiences into powerful advocacy and mentorship. She educates and mentors youth and adults, consults with safe houses nationwide, and created Maine’s first “John school,” which requires multiple weeks of attendance, not just a few hours. Her deep connection with at-risk youth and her tireless efforts to educate various professionals about the trauma associated with sexual abuse and trafficking have made a profound impact. Tricia exemplifies the power of resilience and the importance of speaking out.
We are delighted to honor Tricia Grant with the Catalyst Award for her unwavering commitment and transformative contributions to the fight against sex trafficking and prostitution.
Hon. Tanya Gould: Visionary Award
As a survivor, Hon. Tanya Gould has transformed her experience into a powerful force for good, uniting countless individuals and organizations in this critical movement. Her tireless efforts have strengthened policies, forged stronger coalitions, and brought much-needed media and public attention to the issue of sexual exploitation, both here in Virginia and nationally.
Tanya’s visionary leadership is exemplified through her work with the Attorney General of Virginia, her role on the President’s Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, and her past involvement with international bodies like the OSCE or the UN.
Her run for state office in Virginia, her impactful film, Groomed, her mentorship of other survivors, and her unwavering commitment to systemic change are just a few examples of her remarkable contributions. Tanya’s big-picture thinking and proactive approach continue to inspire and lead us toward a future where human dignity is upheld and sexual exploitation is eradicated.
We celebrate Tanya Gould, the recipient of this year’s Visionary Award, for her exceptional dedication, leadership, and vision in the fight against human trafficking.
Melinda Tankard Reist: Global Impact Award
For decades, Melinda has been at the forefront of educating the world about the connections between all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, with a particular focus on the critical role that pornography plays. She was raising these issues long before many others in the movement were willing to even whisper about them out.
As the founder of Collective Shout, Melinda has courageously challenged major corporations in Australia and globally, leading to significant victories in the fight against sexual exploitation. Her efforts have compelled companies like Etsy to stop selling sex dolls and pornography and pushed Pinterest to prohibit images that sexualize teens. Melinda’s relentless pursuit to stop the normalization of the sex trade and the commodification of women has had profound ripple effects worldwide.
Melinda Tankard Reist is a prolific author, speaker, media commentator, and advocate for women and girls. She has addressed issues of sexualization, objectification, pornography harms, sexual exploitation, trafficking, and violence against women. Her contributions include six influential books and numerous media appearances that amplify her advocacy.
We are thrilled to honor Melinda Tankard Reist with the Global Impact Award for her unwavering dedication, pioneering leadership, and transformative contributions to the fight against sexual exploitation.
Aaron Crowley: Champion Award
Aaron Crowley has spent countless hours teaching NCOSE and others about the insidious ways the pornography industry operates, helping us to understand how interconnected these issues are. Sex trafficking, prostitution, pornography, and sexual violence are inseparable!
Aaron was foundational to the movement’s profound shift in highlighting the public health harms of pornography, spurring the passage of resolutions in 14 states! He has also brought much-needed attention to the experiences of men and boys, and has been a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals who are at intense risk for sexual exploitation and abuse.
Over the last ten months, Aaron has participated in countless meetings to educate members of Congress about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)—thankless staff level work that resulted in KOSA’s recent passage by the US Senate.
Aaron Crowley is the author of Bought with a Price: A Gay Christian’s Memoir from Porn Sets to Love. He is also a father, husband, and screenwriter who has worked in Hollywood. His advocacy work has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in the fight against sexual exploitation.
It is with deep respect and admiration that we honor Aaron Crowley with the Champion Award for his exceptional advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice and human dignity.
Chris McKenna: Child Safety Award
Chris McKenna is the founder of Protect Young Eyes, and a man with never-ending energy when it comes to fighting for the safety and protection of children. Chris has given so much to this movement, tirelessly working to support parents and help us navigate the challenges of the online world. With ever-changing trends and dangers, keeping up can feel impossible. Yet, Chris’s website provides up-to-date information on nearly every app and device out there, offering invaluable advice for both youth and parents.
His dedication doesn’t stop there. Chris takes the knowledge gained from thousands of hours spent on these platforms and engaging with youth and parents, and channels it into advocating for meaningful solutions. He works directly with Big Tech companies and pushes for accountability and minimum standards through the passage of good laws. His tech expertise has been instrumental in going toe to toe with well-funded lobbyists who oppose common sense measures, such as simply enabling built-in safety controls by default.
He practices his internet safety tips on his four amazing children and is regularly featured on news, radio, and podcasts for his research. His 2019 US Senate Judiciary Committee testimony was the catalyst for draft legislation and ongoing discussions that could radically change online child protection laws. The Protect Young Eyes team has performed over 1,700 presentations at schools, churches, and nonprofits and was featured in the Childhood 2.0 movie.
We are overjoyed to honor Chris McKenna with the Child Safety Award for his exceptional dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to protecting our children.
Tim Estes: Trailblazer Award
Tim is a brilliant entrepreneur with a heart for building tools that do good in the world: a passion that began 20+ years ago when he founded his first company, Digital Reasoning. Their groundbreaking online surveillance technology, powered by machine learning, was used by law enforcement officers to spot human traffickers and their victims online. The software has helped identify thousands of victims, including children, from across the country.
But, after over two decades in this industry, Tim knew it wasn’t enough to be reactive in the fight against exploitation. He wanted to work proactively by creating an online space where children could use technology and explore their curiosities, without being exposed to the dangers of the internet. That’s why, earlier this year, he launched Angel AI, an AI-powered browser that enables kids to safely explore the online world through age-appropriate content and experiences. So far, the company has received nearly $6 million in investor funding.
Tim’s dedication to advocating for a better tech world has also been a driving force behind the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) in the Senate and soon by the House. His frequent trips to DC, sitting down with any senator who would listen, and his powerful writing has truly moved mountains.
Tim believes that we owe a duty to the world to leverage technology, particularly AI, for the betterment of mankind. He envisions a future where all software will learn in a way that builds up the human race, rather than shaping or controlling it for the enrichment or empowerment of a few.
It is with great pleasure that we honor Tim Estes with the Trailblazer Award for his exceptional innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to using technology for good.
We are so grateful to these and all the other remarkable leaders who joined us at the 2024 CESE Summit! We look forward to continuing to work together, to build a world where all can live and love free from sexual abuse and exploitation.
