Tessa Cole Named Director of Research Street Grace

Street Grace, a faith-based organization whose mission is to eradicate the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), has named Tessa Cole, MSCJ director of research.

In this role, Cole will utilize her years of expertise in cyber victimization and statistical analysis to get to the root of the demand for CSEC. Her primary research focuses on cyber victimization and the methods in which perpetrators utilize technology to victimize others, such as cyberbullying. Additionally, her research interests delve into the psychology and cognitive processes that increase the likelihood of cyber victimization.

“We will never end CSEC and sex trafficking without intentionally, forcefully, and strategically addressing demand,” said Bob Rodgers, CEO of Street Grace, noting the illegal underground sex economy is estimated to be a multi-billion-dollar business in the U.S. It is the fastest-growing and second-largest illegal business on the planet. “Our initiatives are intensely focused on prevention and the protection of all those who are vulnerable, as well as the pursuit of buyers with a focus on eliminating demand by removing the cloak of anonymity.”

Street Grace was founded in 2009 by leaders of Atlanta’s faith community in response to the increasing presence of CSEC in the city. Since then, the organization has made encouraging progress with a growing network of approximately 150 churches, more than 100 community partners, over 1,500 volunteers, and an expanded presence across the U.S.

“We are thrilled to have Tessa leading our research efforts and believe her expertise in cyber victimization and statistical analysis will help to end demand and protect children around the nation,” said Rodgers.

Previously, Cole taught criminal justice and criminology courses as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Georgia State University. She has conducted online experiments to examine the prevalence of cyber victimization and perpetrators’ modus operandi and has also published research related to these findings. She is currently a crisis hotline volunteer and the Twitter editor for the International Criminal Justice Review. Additionally, she worked as a correctional officer at state and federal levels in Tennessee.

Tessa earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Berry College and her master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Georgia State University (all but dissertation) where she is an Andrew Young Dean’s Fellowship recipient for maintaining an outstanding academic performance. She is the recent recipient of Georgia State’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology Graduate Teaching Award.

About Street Grace

Street Grace is a faith-based organization that utilizes evidence-based demand reduction strategies to eradicate the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) through prevention, protection, policy, and pursuit. CSEC is any sexual activity involving a minor for which something of value is given or promised. Learn more at streetgrace.org.