What is an ‘ACE’?
Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs are stressful or traumatic experiences that children can be exposed to while growing up. Research shows these experiences can have a huge impact on whether someone will be a perpetrator or victim of violence in the future AND impact negatively on their health and opportunities throughout their life.
The original study identified ten Aces in three categories:
Abuse – Physical, Sexual or Emotional
Neglect – Physical or Emotional
Family Circumstances – Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse (including alcohol), Mental Illness, Parental Separation & Divorce, Parental Imprisonment
Since then, more ACEs have been identified:
Being bullied or experiencing discrimination,
Witnessing a sibling being bullied or abused,
Seeing someone threatened or attacked with a gun or knife,
Having to leave one’s home or country because it wasn’t safe,
Living in an unsafe neighbourhood,
Being extremely unwell or injured, or a family member being unwell or injured,
Being taken into Foster Care, Losing a loved one,
Moving home or school repeatedly
How can ACEs impact throughout life?
Research shows that unaddressed ACEs can seriously and negatively impact on physical and mental health. ACEs are implicated in the ten leading causes of death in the Western world, and as the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk of mental health and attachment issues. The cumulative impact of ACEs may affect life chances across the board, leading to a higher risk of low educational attainment, troubled relationships, unemployment, addiction and self-harm.
Doesn’t everyone experience at least one of these?
The impact of just one ACE can be severe, but sadly many people experience multiple ACES during their childhood. With each additional ACE, there is a higher risk of attendance problems, behavioural issues, academic failure – and in the long term, impacts on mental and physical health.
Why does this matter?
Childhood Trauma (measured by ACEs) often leads to social, emotional and mental health difficulties and problems at school, because being subjected to neglect and / or violence can affect brain development making it difficult to learn alongside others.
These young people may be emotionally behind their peers, with few qualifications on leaving school. They may need ongoing help and support to avoid falling off the ‘cliff edge’ into addiction, exploitation, chronic health problems, unemployment and / or crime.
The window of opportunity to transform life chances continues until our brain matures at around 25 – so we want to be a part of young people’s lives until they’re happy, healthy, safe and leading positive, independent lives!
Addressing ACEs not only benefits those individuals, but also breaks the cycle of trauma for future generations AND potentially saves vast amounts of public resources across a lifetime.
Life Chance Trust 