Adverse childhood events in domestic abuse homes, with UK and US statistics.
Domestic abuse can have a lasting impact on a child's future outcomes, particularly in terms of their physical and mental health, educational and career opportunities, and overall well-being. This impact is often referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), which are traumatic events that occur during childhood, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction such as domestic violence.
Research has shown that exposure to ACES can increase a child's risk of developing physical and mental health problems in adulthood, such as heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Children who experience domestic abuse are also more likely to struggle in school, which can negatively affect their academic achievement and limit their future opportunities.
Domestic abuse can also have a damaging effect on a child's ability to form healthy relationships later in life. Children who witness or experience abuse in the home may struggle with trust and attachment, which can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships with romantic partners, friends, and other family members.
Moreover, children who experience ACES are at a higher risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of domestic abuse themselves in the future. This cycle of violence can perpetuate itself across generations, making it even more important to address and prevent domestic abuse.
The following statistics provide a snapshot of the impact of Adverse
The scale of the issue
Childhood Experiences (ACES) on children's future outcomes in the UK:
Approximately 2 million children in the UK witness domestic violence each year (Women's Aid)
Children exposed to domestic abuse are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life. In fact, up to 70% of children who witness domestic violence show symptoms of PTSD (NSPCC)
Children who experience ACES are at a significantly higher risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of domestic violence as adults. In one study, individuals who reported experiencing four or more ACES were 2.5 times more likely to engage in violent behavior (NSPCC)
Children who experience domestic abuse are more likely to struggle in school and have lower educational attainment. In one study, children who experienced domestic violence were 3 times more likely to have school attendance issues (NSPCC)
The long-term effects of ACES can also lead to increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity in the workforce, with estimated costs in the UK reaching billions of pounds each year (NSPCC)
The following statistics provide a snapshot of the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) on children's future outcomes (in the US):
1 in 4 children in the United States witness domestic violence in their homes each year (National Institute of Justice)
Children exposed to domestic abuse are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life. In fact, up to 90% of children who witness domestic violence show symptoms of PTSD (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
Children who experience ACES are at a significantly higher risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of domestic violence as adults. In one study, individuals who reported experiencing four or more ACES had a 12-fold increase in the likelihood of being arrested for violent behavior (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Children who experience domestic abuse are more likely to struggle in school and have lower educational attainment. In fact, children exposed to domestic violence are 3 times more likely to repeat a grade and 4 times more likely to struggle with reading and math (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
The long-term effects of ACES can also lead to increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity in the workforce, with estimated costs in the United States alone reaching hundreds of billions of dollars each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
These statistics highlight the importance of addressing and preventing domestic abuse to ensure a brighter future for all children and for society as a whole.
It is one ambition of the Get Out Get Love programme to impact on ACES, longside the wellbeing of adults. See more in our linked article.