Childhood should be filled with safety, love, and growth. Sadly, for many children, early life is shaped by fear, instability, or abuse. These difficult experiences don’t just stay in the past; they can affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, and opportunities throughout a lifetime.

At Nisa Foundation, we see this every day in the women and children who come through our doors. That’s why understanding childhood trauma, the ACE study, and how trauma affects health is so important for creating lasting change.

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What is Childhood Trauma?

Childhood trauma refers to serious, stressful, or painful experiences before age 18. This includes:

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Neglect (not enough care, food, or safety)
• Witnessing domestic violence
• Living with a parent who struggles with addiction or mental illness
• Losing a parent through divorce, separation, or death
• Growing up in unsafe or unstable housing

When children go through repeated trauma without support, their bodies stay in a constant state of stress. Experts call this toxic stress — it affects brain development and increases the risk of health problems later in life.

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How Many People Are Affected by Childhood Trauma?

Childhood trauma in Canada and worldwide is more common than many realize:

• Nearly two-thirds of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in childhood.
• One in six adults have experienced four or more forms of trauma. (CDC)
• In Canada, 3 in 10 people over age 15 experienced abuse before age 15. (Statistics Canada)
• One in three Canadian women will face sexual violence in their lifetime, almost half of them before turning 18. (CDC)

For many families at Nisa Homes, these experiences are part of their story; which is why trauma-informed care is central to our work.

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What is the ACE Study?

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, led by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, revealed how strongly early trauma is linked to adult health.

The study asked adults about 10 types of traumas, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. It found a clear pattern:

The higher your ACE score, the greater your risk of health problems later in life.

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Long-Term Health Effects of Childhood Trauma

Research shows the connection between childhood trauma and health is powerful:

People with 4 or more ACEs are:

• 12 times more likely to attempt suicide
• 7 ti.,a>?mes more likely to struggle with alcoholism
• 10 times more likely to use injection drugs (PubMed)
• High ACE scores also increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and early death (Lets Get Healthy CA).

This shows that trauma affects both the mind and the body, with lifelong consequences.

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How Childhood Trauma Impacts Communities

Childhood trauma doesn’t just affect individuals; it has ripple effects across whole communities. High rates of trauma lead to:

• More addiction and mental health struggles
• Higher poverty and unemployment
• Increased violence and crime
• Overloaded healthcare and social services
• Cycles of trauma passed on to the next generation

At Nisa Foundation, we work to break these cycles. Our shelters and programs provide safe housing, counseling, and community care, helping women and children heal and rebuild. When survivors find safety and support, entire communities benefit.

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Breaking the Cycle of Trauma with Nisa Foundation

The good news: trauma is not destiny. With safe spaces, supportive care, and community connection, healing is always possible.

At Nisa Foundation, every program; from Nisa Homes to mentorship and counseling, is designed with a trauma-informed approach. We believe every woman and child deserves the chance not only to survive, but to thrive.

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Take Action: Support Healing from Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma can shape a lifetime — but it doesn’t have to. With your help, we can continue to provide survivors with safety, healing, and hope.

Donate to Nisa Foundation today to support women and children on their journey to recovery. Together, we can break the cycle of trauma and build stronger, healthier communities.