ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES - GET THE FACTS
How we treat our kids matters. Today we say #ItsTime to change the way we represent, treat, and protect our children in America. All kids deserve a good chance at life! It starts in childhood.
What are ACEs?
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events in a child’s life that can have negative and lasting effects on health and well-being.2
These experiences occur before the age of 18 and are remembered by that child as an adult.
Such traumatic events may include: psychological, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; violence against mother; or living with household members who were substance abusers, mentally ill, suicidal, criminal or imprisoned.1
Maltreatment (child abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, etc.) causes chronic stress that can disrupt early brain development, and the development of the nervous and immune systems.4
#ITSTIME FOR CHANGE
What happens to kids during childhood shapes who they become as adults.
Children living through abuse and violence, unnecessarily suffer the ill effects of this trauma for the rest of their lives.
Kids need our help like never before!
#ITSTIME FOR REAL SOLUTIONS
If child abuse is the issue, then positive parenting and protecting our children is the solution.
Children who are nurtured and supported throughout childhood are more likely to thrive and develop into happy, healthy and productive adults.
Effects & Life Outcomes from Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences have a strong and cumulative impact on the health and functioning of adults.3 Children who are abused or neglected are at higher risk for health and social problems as adults.
The toxic levels of stress or trauma experienced by a child is linked to poor physical and mental health throughout life.
These problems include lower educational achievement, lower economic success, impaired social success in adulthood, alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, high-risk sexual behaviors, smoking, suicide, and certain chronic diseases.3,4
“Safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments are essential to prevent child maltreatment and to assure that children reach their full potential.” – CDC
Click here References & Sources
- CDC & Kaiser Study: Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults-The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study (1998); Vincent J. Felitti, MD, FACP, Robert F. Anda, MD, MS, Dale Nordenberg, MD, David F. Williamson, MS, PhD, Alison M. Spitz, MS, MPH, Valerie Edwards, BA, Mary P. Koss, PhD, James S. Marks, MD, MPH click here
- Child Trends Research Brief: Adverse Childhood Experiences: National and State-Level Prevalence (July 2014); Vanessa Sacks, M.P.P., David Murphey, Ph.D., and Kristin Moore, Ph.D. click here
- Minnesota Department of Health. Adverse Childhood Experiences in Minnesota (Pub Feb, 2013) 2011 Minnesota Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. click here
- Essentials for Childhood; CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention; Steps to Create Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments. (Pub August 2014) click here
Abuse Causing Adverse Childhood Experiences
Child Neglect
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Childhood Experiences
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Domestic Violence
Trafficking & Exploitation
We thank all those who are already protecting our kids and keeping them safe every single day.