There are of course lots of examples of fine work going on around ACEs, but there are also aspects of the ACE movement that make me feel a little uncomfortable. I worry that what is clearly a well-intentioned desire to just do something might not do good and could cause harm. My concerns are absolutely not meant as a criticism of the motivation and altruism underlying the ACEs movement, but as a cautionary nudge to make sure that, in our enthusiasm to do good, we don’t run before we can walk.

Preventing child sexual abuse through education: the work of Stop it Now! Wales. Authors: Kirsty Hudson Format: Article Summary: Presents findings from an evaluation of education and awareness raising programmes aimed at parents, carers and professionals to prevent child sexual abuse, delivered by Stop it Now! Wales. Finds that participants reported benefits from attending the programmes, however this varied by type of programme and impact reported. Journal: Journal of Sexual Aggression...

Suicide prevention action plan: Scotland The Scottish Government has published a Suicide prevention action plan setting out the government’s plan to reduce the suicide rate in the country by 20% by 2022. Actions include: setting up the National suicide prevention leadership group (NSPLG) whose work will include ensuring that the needs of children and young people are considered. Source: Scottish Government Date: 09 August 2018 Further information: Every life matters (PDF)

Andrew thanks for your interesting contribution to the debate around ACEs. As a survivor of early trauma, having been sent to an English boarding school at the age of 6 in the late 1950s, I have followed the development of the ACEs movement closely in Britain and Ireland and in the USA. After careful consideration I am an advocate of an ACEs, trauma-informed approach to ameliorating trauma consequences [it makes a whole lot more sense than the orthodox psychoanalysis I was subjected to over...

Hi simon I am based in Kent where there is zero understanding of ACE and very little being done to alter it. I would be so interested in you work

Helen, great to hear from you. Please get in touch at my email below. We're not going to be rigid about the Greater London boundary and will do what we can to help. Things are certainly on the move in London Simon