Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Expanding Support for Students

Students enter college with different life experiences—some positive, some difficult, and often a combination. These experiences do not disappear once students step onto campus. Researchers use the term Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) to describe traumatic events that include (but not limited to) experiencing violence, abuse or neglect, witnessing violence in one’s home or community, growing up in a household with substance abuse or mental health challenges.[1]  Approximately 64% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one ACE. One study of college students has similar findings with approximately 66% having experienced an ACE.[2,3] Childhood trauma can have lasting effects, including increased risk for mental health conditions, chronic health issues, and elevated stress levels.[3,4]

‍College can already be a stressful and demanding time as students balance academics, work, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities. For students who have experienced childhood trauma, managing these pressures may be even more challenging. To make support more accessible, the uSafeUS® team created a “Childhood Trauma” resource section within the uSafeUS® app for survivors and their allies.  

The “Childhood Trauma” section has three subsections: “Reporting,” “Help for Survivors,” and “Preventing Child Abuse.” These resources were selected not only for survivors, but also for parents, friends, faculty, and staff who want to better understand ACEs, support someone affected by trauma, report concerns, or learn how to help prevent child abuse.

With more than half of college students having experienced at least one ACE, obtaining support for childhood trauma should be straightforward and easily accessible. uSafeUS® has done this and is committed to supporting students every step of the way.

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1. https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html

2.Dube, S. R., Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Chapman, D. P., Williamson, D. F., Giles, W. H. (2001). Childhood abuse, household dysfunction, and the risk of attempted suicide throughout the life span: Findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study. JAMA, 286(24), 3089–3096. doi:10.1001/jama.286.24.3089

3. Colburn, A. R., Kremer, K. P., Jackson, D. B. (2021). Early trauma and psychosocial outcomes among college students. Children and Youth Service Review, 126, 106052.

4. RAINN. (n.d.). For survivors of child sexual abuse. https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/for-survivors-of-child-sexual-abuse/