October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the far-reaching impact of violence in the home. When we think about domestic violence, the focus is often on adults, but children — whether they directly experience violence or witness it — carry scars, too.
At Ellipsis, we see the effects firsthand. Many of the youth we serve have lived in houses marked by instability, conflict and abuse. These difficult beginnings often show up in their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores. ACE is a tool researchers use to understand the lasting impact of childhood trauma and caregivers like Ellipsis use to better understand the person they’re serving.
By talking about ACEs, we bring awareness to why some kids need more support than others. It’s also a way to show our community the difference they can make in helping Ellipsis youth heal and thrive.
What are ACEs?
ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in a child’s life before the age of 18. Researchers developed the ACEs framework to measure how many of these experiences a child has endured. An ACE score reflects the cumulative impact of traumatic or adverse events during childhood. They are calculated by totaling the number of 10 specific experiences reported by an individual.
The 10 ACEs include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Witnessing domestic violence
- Witnessing a parent being injured or killed
- Having a parent who was incarcerated
- Having a parent with a mental illness
- Having a parent who died before age 18
- Experiencing neglect
- Having a household member who used alcohol or drugs
A higher ACE score is linked to greater risk of long-term effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least five of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs: heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes and suicide. Higher scores are also tied to increased risk of depression and anxiety, difficulty building healthy relationships, struggles in school and work, and substance dependency.
Witnessing domestic violence between caregivers is itself a form of trauma. In addition to these harmful effects, when a child lives with violence, they may also experience guilt, believing the violence is their fault, and can be more likely to repeat the cycle of violence as adults — either by continuing to be victims or by normalizing abusive behavior.
ACEs don’t simply “go away” with age. Once a person experiences trauma in childhood, it remains part of their score into adulthood. That doesn’t mean healing isn’t possible, though. With the right support, kids and teens can build resilience and ultimately break the cycle of trauma.
Why Ellipsis youth have higher ACE scores
In 2024, the average ACE score for youth served at Ellipsis was 4.2. To put that into perspective, nearly 60% of Iowa adults have a lifetime score of zero or one. This gap is sobering and reflects the reality that many of the kids who come to Ellipsis have faced multiple, overlapping forms of trauma. For many, domestic violence is part of that story.
High ACE scores can set children on a difficult path. Ellipsis exists to help them change direction. Our programs are designed to surround kids with the stability and guidance they need to heal, learn and grow. We can’t erase the trauma they have experienced, but we can help them discover that their past does not write their future.
How communities like ours can help
Domestic violence and other ACEs are present in every community, and their impact doesn’t stop with individual kids; it ripples out into the kids they spend time with in their classrooms, neighborhoods and eventually workplaces. The good news is that everyone has a role in reducing the effects. Here are a few ways communities can make a difference:
Teachers and schools:
Educators are often the first to notice when a child is struggling. Approaching students with empathy and understanding can transform how kids respond in the classroom. Instead of seeing a student only as disruptive or defiant, teachers can seek to understand what the child might be experiencing outside of the school environment. This shift can help kids feel seen and supported.
Neighbors, mentors and caring adults:
Kids need consistency. Something as simple as showing up as a coach at practice, a mentor at an after-school program or a neighbor checking in can create a trusting relationship. Positive relationships can buffer the effects of trauma and give kids a sense of belonging.
Employers and businesses:
Workplaces can help by supporting employees with wellness programs and access to insurance coverage that allows for healing services. They can also support organizations like Ellipsis through donations, sponsorships, volunteer initiatives or other efforts. By investing in youth, businesses invest in their future workforce and in our community at large.
You:
The most important change could start with you. Instead of blaming a child for acting out, could you ask, “What’s happening with you?” A small shift in perspective and language can be a solid foundation for building a trauma-informed community.
We can break the cycle
ACEs are a powerful tool for understanding childhood trauma, but they don’t tell the whole story. Kids, especially the youth we know at Ellipsis, are so much more than the violence, abuse and other hardships they’ve experienced. With consistent care, supportive adults, and access to the right services and medical treatment, youth can — and do — overcome trauma and rewrite their stories into bright, successful futures.
We are inspired to see the resilience of our kids get stronger every day. We see them taking steps toward independence, finding stability and discovering their potential. Our team knows it’s possible because of the care and commitment from people throughout our community.
When we work together, we can make sure trauma isn’t the defining chapter of a child’s story.
If you want to make a difference, start by learning about domestic violence and other ACEs. Talk about their impact on children. And consider giving through a financial donation, hosting a fundraiser or volunteering so Ellipsis can continue to provide the safe, stable support kids deserve.
