ACE Aware Ireland
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. These experiences range from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse to parental divorce or the incarceration of a parent or guardian. Over 14% of the population have 4 or more ACE's, the effects of which can be seen at the bottom of this page.
​
Following the hugely successful events with expert Suzanne Zeedyk in March 2019, Rosarii and Andrew decided that they had to do more to spread awareness of ACE’s and their impact on people from all walks of life. To assist us with this, we successfully applied to Social Entrepreneurs Ireland in May 2019 and ACE Aware Ireland was born. Through this we intend to spread the message, in much the same way that Scotland, Wales and many States in the U.S. have already done; by starting what is for many, a very difficult conversation. Only through this general awareness can we make changes that will ultimately affect us all.
​
Below are a number of ACE resources, including the ACE questionnaire, infographics and video links.
Please see more video's; further below.
To see more of / download this excellent info-graphic PDF from Harvard University click HERE
Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire: Finding your ACE Score;
While you were growing up, during your first 18 years of life:
​
1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often …
Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you?
or Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often …
Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you?
or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
3. Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever…
Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way?
or Try to or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal sex with you?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
4. Did you often feel that …
No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special?
or Your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
5. Did you often feel that …
You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you?
or Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
6. Were your parents ever separated or divorced?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
7. Was your mother or stepmother:
Often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her?
or Sometimes or often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard?
or Ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used street drugs?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
9. Was a household member depressed or mentally ill or did a household member attempt suicide?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
10. Did a household member go to prison?
Yes/No If yes score 1 ________
​
​
Now add up your “Yes” answers: _______ This is your ACE Score
From the National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges - www.ncjfcj.org
This graphic appears on the very informative website of Iowa ACE's 360. To read more please click here: