Childhood Trauma Statistics

How Common Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

64% of the U.S. population has at least one ACE.

cdc.gov

97% of the prison population has at least one ACE.

Compassion Prison Project

Comparison of ACE Categories

ACE Prevalence in Men

General Population vs. Incarcerated Population

Emotional Abuse

35%

63%

Physical Abuse

19%

60%

Sexual Abuse

7%

49%

Emotional Neglect

13%

51%

Physical Neglect

11%

22%

Domestic Violence

17%

35%

Substance Abuse

27%

63%

Parents Living Apart

28%

70%

Mental Illness

14%

28%

Family Member Incarcerated

9%

45%

ACE Prevalence in Women

General Population vs. Incarcerated Population

Emotional Abuse

34%

59%

Physical Abuse

18%

54%

Sexual Abuse

17%

52%

Emotional Neglect

13%

24%

Physical Neglect

13%

24%

Domestic Violence

19%

38%

Substance Abuse

29%

63%

Parents Living Apart

28%

70%

Mental Illness

20%

38%

Family Member Incarcerated

8%

40%

Messina and Burdon 2020, BRFSS data 2011-2014 and ncbi.nim.nih.gov

Children, Adolescents and ACEs

0 %

60% have been exposed to crime, violence and abuse either directly or indirectly.

0 %

50% of youth have been assaulted at least once.

0 %

39% of youth ages 12 to 17 reported witnessing violence.

0 %

34% of youth reported being emotionally bullied and 13% physically bullied.

0 %

30% witnessed a stabbing and 26% witnessed a shooting in an inner city community.

0 %

26% of children age 4 and under experienced a traumatic event.

0 %

25% of youth were victims of robbery, vandalism or theft.

0 %

20% witnessed violence in their family or neighborhood.

0 %

16% of youth aged 14 to 17 were sexually assaulted or sexually abused

0 %

14% repeatedly experienced maltreatment by a caregiver.

0 %

10% reported five or more exposures to violence.

recognizetrauma.org

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

1 or 2 ACEs

0 x

more likely to

have serious financial problems

0 x

more likely to

smoke

0 x

more likely to

develop pulminary disease

0 x

more likely to

have serious job problems

0 x

more likely to

use antidepressants

0 x

more likely to

develop STDs

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

3 or more ACEs

0 %

more likely to

experience risk of autoimmune diseases:
Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rhuematoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

4 or more ACEs

0 x

more likely to

be diagnosed with cancer or lung cancer

0 x

more likely to

have anxiety

0 x

more likely to

have chronic depression

0 x

more likely to

develop Alzheimer’s

0 x

more likely to

engage in illicit drug use

0 x

more likely to

have problematic alcohol use

0 x

more likely to

go to prison

0 x

more likely to

experience violence victimization in adulthood

0 x

more likely to

attempt suicide

0 %

more likely to

face opiate abuse

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

5 or more ACEs

0 %

more likely to

have delays in their language, emotional or brain development

0 x

more likely to

have problematic alcohol use

0 x

more likely to

develop COPD (Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease)

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

6 or more ACEs

0 %

more likely to

have a shortened lifespan by 20 years

0 %

more likely to

face opiate addiction

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

7 or more ACEs

0 x

more likely to

report hallucinations

Hughes, Bellis, Hardcastle, Sethi, et al 2017, Anda 2008, Whitfield 2005 and recognizing trauma.org