What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

  • Child physical abuse
  • Child sexual abuse
  • Child emotional abuse
  • Neglect
  • Mentally ill, depressed, or suicidal person in the home
  • Drug addicted or alcoholic family member
  • Witnessing domestic violence against the mother
  • Loss of a parent to death or abandonment, including abandonment by divorce
  • Incarceration of any family member

What does this mean for worker performance?

8 out of 10 child abuse-related deaths in Washington could have been prevented.
Washington State Childhood Injury Report

Child abuse victims are more likely to:

  • Suffer from cancer and cardiovascular disease;
  • Experience poor physical emotional, and mental health;
  • Nearly 60% more likely to be arrested as juveniles; and
  • 30% more likely to commit a violent crime

To learn more about the ACEs study, visit our partner, Washington State Family Council.

Do you suspect a child has been abused? Here's the information to make a report.

 

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ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IMPACT OUR FUTURE

THE ACE STUDY

When we talk about child abuse, we usually talk about the impacts on a child. But what about the social costs, estimated at $103 billion annually at the national level?

With new research available, it is clear that many of the nation's leading issues, including cancer, HIV, heart disease, alcoholism, incarceration, and mental illness could be prevented by preventing child abuse and neglect.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) has examined the childhood roots of our nation’s leading health and social issues for the past 16 years. ACE researchers recently completed a 10-year longitudinal study in Washington state showing that adverse childhood experiences —including child abuse and neglect —affect brain structure and ability, leading to increased rates of violence, disease, disability and early death.

The study examines “ACE scores”—the total number of adverse experiences occurring during childhood—to assess the impact of ACEs on development. ACE scores range from zero to ten, with exposure to the various experiences adding to an individual’s increased risk.


The study shows that high ACE scores result in increased risks for serious health and social problems, including: heart disease; cancer; lung and liver; violence and incarceration. In fact, adults who report four or more ACEs, compared to those who experience none, are four to 12 times more likely to suffer from alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, and suicide.


The results in Washington show that child abuse and neglect occur across all socioeconomic and education levels. Of the adults participating in the 10-year study,

  • 28% reported childhood physical abuse, and
  • 21% reported childhood sexual abuse.

But ACEs do not have to be reality for the children of adults who themselves suffered from adverse childhood experiences. Preventing child abuse and neglect and reducing other ACEs creates enormous potential to improve health and well-being on a national level.


National research shows that families who receive education about their child's development and support that helps them cope with stress, economic hardship, and social isolation are more likely to prevent child abuse from occurring in their homes.

That is why Children's Trust works to make Parent Education & Support available and accessible to all Washington families before they ever reach a crisis.

Please join us today in making this goal a reality.

To find your ACE score, take the ACE test.