There are 10 types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that can happen during childhood and adolescence. Some types of ACEs directly harm a child, while other problems in a dysfunctional household create toxic environments that shape a child’s behaviours later in adulthood.
Overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences
ACEs are stressful or traumatic events before age 18 that can have lasting mental and physical effects.
1. Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is a pattern of non-violent behaviour intended to shame or manipulate an individual. It shapes how a child perceives care and safety from their caretaker and is harmful for their emotional development. Emotional abuse can include:
- Verbal abuse – criticising, belittling, name-calling
- Threatening and shouting
- Socially isolating them from friends and family
Around 1 in 15 UK children experience emotional abuse (NSPCC).
(Source: Eve)
2. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is when someone deliberately harms a child. It includes types of violence such as:
- Punching, beating, and kicking
- Hitting with hands or objects
- Burning
(Source: NSPCC)
3. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is when a child is manipulated or forced into sexual activities without their consent. They may not understand that what they are made to do is wrong or a form of abuse and may find it difficult to inform someone. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere – in-person or online.
Sexual abuse can involve physical contact (e.g., rape, sexual assault, forced kissing) or non-contact abuse (e.g., exposing children to pornography or pressuring them to share sexual images).
Across Wales & England, it's estimated that 3.1 million adults experienced sexual abuse before 16 years old (Office for National Statistics).
(Source: NSPCC) (Source: Childline)
4. Emotional Neglect
Neglect is when a child’s basic physical and psychological needs aren’t met. It is also a form of child abuse because it can have long-term consequences on a child’s mental and physical health.
Emotional neglect is when a child’s needs for support and stimulation aren’t met. Examples include:
- Failure to provide emotional support
In England and Wales, 9.3% of adults experienced a form of emotional neglect or abuse before the age of 16. Women were also more likely to be impacted in comparison to men.
(Source: NSPCC)
5. Physical Neglect
Physical neglect is when basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care aren’t provided; around 1 in 100 UK adults experienced this.
(Source: Office for National Statistics)
6. Witnessing Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is any type of controlling or coercive behaviour between people in a domestic setting. Domestic violence can involve many types of abuse. Children exposed to domestic violence—whether emotional, physical, or financial—are at risk of PTSD and long-term anxiety.
Children who witness domestic violence may have anxiety or feel guilty that the abuse happening is their fault. This can lead to long-term effects such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that last into adulthood.
2.4 million UK adults witnessed domestic violence as children.
(Source: Women’s Aid) (Source: SSS Learning) (Source: Barnado’s)
7. Household Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is when parents or carers have a long-term problematic relationship with alcohol or drugs.
Parents with substance misuse issues may neglect children’s needs; in 2022-23, nearly 5,000 Welsh children required support due to parental substance misuse.
(Source: NSPCC) (Source: Public Health Wales)
8. Household Mental Illness
Household mental illness occurs when a parent or carer has a diagnosable mental health condition.
Many children with parents or carers with mental illnesses are not negatively impacted, but some children may require additional emotional and psychological support.
(Source: NSPCC)
9. Parental Separation or Divorce
The emotional impact of a parental separation or divorce affects both the parents and the child. The child may be exposed to verbal fighting, or domestic abuse within the household. They may also be neglected when their parents are more focused on their own issues.
Children may experience grief, confusion, or anxiety after separation, which can affect school and social life.
These emotions can influence the way they react, for example, having poor academic performance because they cannot focus. Some children may also find social interactions difficult and become isolated.
Not all children react negatively to divorce, but it's important to understand how a child is impacted by domestic separation so parents or carers can offer the support they need.
(Source: Maria Fogg Family Law)
10. Incarceration of a Household Member
Having a family member sent to jail can be a traumatic event for children and create feelings of isolation and shame. Around 200,000 UK children experience a parent being imprisoned each year, which can lead to trauma.
Growing up in a single-parent household can be challenging for the other parent and the child. Children may require additional support from trusted adults or professionals to help ensure they are not affected by it long-term.
(Source: Barnado’s)
The Lasting Impact of ACEs on Health and Behaviour
ACEs are an increasing cause of concern for parents and carers because of the long-lasting stress and trauma they leave on children that can continue into adulthood. Many adults who experienced ACEs in their childhood face barriers to forming healthy social attachments and emotional responses in their daily lives.
ACEs can cause long-term mental health problems (e.g. anxiety, PTSD), difficulties in relationships, and higher risks of chronic illnesses. Multiple ACEs increase the risk of complex trauma.
(Source: MFT NHS) (Source: NHS Safeguarding) (Source: A-C-E UK) (Source: Catalyst Group)
Act Now. Not in a Minute
1 in 5 adults in Wales & England experienced abuse before 16—most never report it until decades later. Early support can change lives, so recognising the signs of ACEs is crucial. At Adenydd, we help parents and carers support children through training and sensory regulation courses.
At Adenydd, we make it our mission to help children and youths overcome ACEs by providing parents, carers, and teachers with the right tools. Our Sensory Regulation courses help staff understand and recognise the signs of trauma or dysregulation, and how to provide safety, support, and nurture a calm environment.
