Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's)

Within CIS'ters we are all too aware that sexual abuse during childhood rarely happens in isolation, often accompanied or subsequent to other experiences, such as neglect, physical abuse etc. 

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future violence, victimisation and perpetration, lifelong health and opportunity.  As such, early experiences are an important public health issue.  Much of the foundational research in this area has been referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's).  And clinicians are slowly waking up to the fact that ACE's can have a detrimental impact on the emotional and physical well being of children and for the adults they develop into. ACE's can be prevented.

Nadine Burke Harris provides a really clear understanding of the impact of such events in her 15min TED video, which can be seen here  Nadine Burke Harris Talk 

To find out more about this comprehensive research visit The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 

Please also visit our 'Toxic Stress' link under 'The Impact' list, as ACE's are all about Toxic Stress.

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In the UK there has been a slow awakening to the impact of ACE's.  The following are links to awareness campaigns in:

Scotland | Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) and Trauma

Wales | Adverse Childhood Experiences, Wales

Northern Ireland | Safeguarding, Trauma Informed Approaches, Northern Ireland

England | There is not one cohesive plan in England as there is in other countries - instead, it is piecemeal and fragmented.  This one document attempts to provide an overview, but it fails to capture the attention of those that matter, i.e., society | British Medical Journal