CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ADVERSITY AS RISK FACTORS FOR VIOLENCE

It is part of the human story to assume that experiences in childhood influence later actions and experiences in adulthood. There is substantial overlap between risk factors associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and for violence commission. Through horizontal and vertical impacts, the consequences of childhood adversity extend beyond the individual experiencing them. It forms a ripple effect, affecting the people around them and wider society. Being ‘different’ from the population ‘norm’ in some way may cause minority stress and contribute to the prevalence of ACE exposure and its impact. Early childhood exposure to trauma has lasting impacts on the brain. Attachment insecurity has been identified as a risk factor for violence. In broad terms, resilience could be understood as an ability to positively manage and adapt in difficult circumstances, resulting from the effect of protective factors which can nullify or mitigate the impact of stressful childhood experiences.