Understanding the use, and misuse, of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in trauma-informed policing
| Published date | 01 June 2020 |
| Date | 01 June 2020 |
| Author | Karen Bateson,Georgia Johnson,Michelle McManus |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X19841409 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Understanding the use,
and misuse, of Adverse
Childhood Experiences
(ACEs) in trauma-informed
policing
Karen Bateson
Development Manager, NSPCC, London, UK
Michelle McManus
National Research Head for Public Health and Policing, Public Health
Wales NHS Trust, UK
Georgia Johnson
Public Health Wales NHS Trust, UK
Abstract
An increased awareness about how trauma impacts upon children and adults is vital for
the identification of vulnerability, development of trauma-informed policing and
strengthening the case for the prevention. ACEs provide an easily understandable
framework which could help to develop trauma-informed practice and responses.
However, there are potential misuses of ACEs in policing, for example using ACE scores
or specific single ACEs as the basis for decisions or as intervention thresholds. In this
article we review the current evidence with a focus on the strengths, current issues and
risks in the use of ACEs across policing.
Keywords
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), vulnerability, trauma-informed practice,
policing, evidence-based
Corresponding author:
Karen Bateson, Development Manager, NSPCC, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 4NH, UK.
Email: Karen.bateson@nspcc.org.uk
The Police Journal:
Theory, Practice and Principles
2020, Vol. 93(2) 131–145
ªThe Author(s) 2019
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DOI: 10.1177/0032258X19841409
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