Trapped in a culture of blame, shame and punishment, too many people are thrown in jail, suspended from school and re-traumatized in caregiving situations when what they need is understanding what’s happened to them, nurturing safety and a chance to heal themselves.
“Lots of people have their own idea of what trauma is, and it stops at car accidents. Not so many think verbal abuse can cause long-term damage in the brain,” said Jane Stevens, founder and editor of ACES Connection Network and the ACEStoohigh.com website showcasing schools, law enforcement agencies and others helping build resilience.
“The end of punishment is in our grasp,” Stevens told about 300 gathered at the Changemakers event hosted by Social Venture Partners and Portland State University’s Impact Entrepreneurs.
Two-thirds of participants in studies conducted in 29 states including Oregon experienced childhood abuse, family dysfunction and neglect – adverse childhood experiences known as ACEs. Research shows a direct link between ACEs and illness, unemployment and disability.
“Lives are shortened by 20 years,” Stevens said of those with ACE scores of six or higher.
[For more of this story, written by Jan Johnson, go to https://www.thelundreport.org/...yment-and-disability]
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