The scale of adverse childhood experiences in London

Tuesday, 7 January 2020 06:00

Between April 2017 and March 2018 in London: 23,097 children experienced domestic violence and abuse. 16,394 children experienced parental mental ill-health. 14,432 children in London experienced parental alcohol and drug misuse. 3,097 children simultaneously experienced all three together.[2] Early neglect and trauma on children can have substantial negative outcomes later on in life. These potentially traumatic events are called Adverse Childhood...Request free trial

Between April 2017 and March 2018 in London:

23,097 children experienced domestic violence and abuse.
16,394 children experienced parental mental ill-health.
14,432 children in London experienced parental alcohol and drug misuse.
3,097 children simultaneously experienced all three together.^[2]

Early neglect and trauma on children can have substantial negative outcomes later on in life. These potentially traumatic events are called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The Committee heard that children exposed to adverse events face an increased risk of experiencing poor health and social outcomes in adulthood.

The London Assembly Health Committee examined the combination of three ACEs which commonly co-occur (domestic violence and abuse, parental mental ill-health and parental alcohol and drug misuse) to assess how access to and support from services could be improved. The Committee has published its short report, ‘Connecting up the care’, calling for the Mayor and the London Health Board to create an action plan. The plan should:

Assess the effectiveness of information sharing and data collection, which is key for services to function effectively.
Promote multi-agency working, which is vital for person focused care, as there is unequal access to this for Londoners.
Adopt a trauma-informed approach that makes people feel safer and more supported by services to improve outcomes.

Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee said:

“There are significant numbers of children in London experiencing trauma, either domestic abuse and violence, parental mental ill-health, drug and alcohol misuse and in many cases all three simultaneously.”

“The Mayor says he is committed to providing every child in London with the best start in life and the Health Committee wants to hold him to this.

“We strongly call on the Mayor to implement the measures we have identified in an action plan to improve the health outcomes of children experiencing adverse childhood experiences.”

Notes for Editors:

‘Connecting up the Care’ report is attached.