This presentation was given at the 2018 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit hosted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. (EndExploitationSummit.com)
Heidi Olson, RN, BSN, CPN
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Coordinator, Children’s Mercy Hospital
In this presentation you will learn about the connection between pornography, sexual assault and juvenile sex offenders. Reported cases of child sexual assault are on the rise in the United States, and many of the perpetrators are in middle school. This presentation will give real life examples of unlikely juvenile sex offenders, their victims, and how this is directly related to exploitation and pornography. This presentation also explores the ramifications of having so many young sexual assault victims and young perpetrators in our midst and looks at difficult dynamics of related victims and perpetrators (such as siblings) and what that means for parents who find themselves in such a heartbreaking situation.
Heidi Olson is a registered nurse who specializes in pediatrics and leads the team of forensic nurses at a large children’s hospital in Kansas City, MO. In 2017, Heidi performed and reviewed over 400 sexual assault cases at her hospital. Heidi’s role includes performing forensic and medical exams on children who have been victims of sexual assault, running the day-to-day logistics of the forensics program, following up with victims and their families after discharge, communicating with law enforcement, children’s division, and the FBI and educating the healthcare staff on relevant topics with regards to children and sexual exploitation. In the last year, Heidi has presented close to 100 times at conferences, her hospital and in the community about recognizing human trafficking in the health care setting. Heidi also has a passion for educating the medical community about the way pornography drives sexual assault and sex trafficking. Heidi has recently started a Human Trafficking Committee for her hospital and she serves as an expert witness for prosecutors during sexual assault criminal trials. Heidi is currently in graduate school getting her Masters of Nursing in Public Health with a focus on Forensic Psychology.
