The ACE-study...

ACEs are surprisingly common among people of all social strata, and have far-reaching consequences. For many people, it's not possible to "just get over it". Or just walk out from a bad relation etc.

What's an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience i.e. "skadlig barndomserfarenhet")?

Adverse Childhood Experience is growing up experiencing any of the following conditions in the household prior to age 18:

• 1. Recurrent physical abuse
• 2. Recurrent emotional abuse
• 3. Contact sexual abuse
• 4. An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household
• 5. An incarcerated household member
• 6. Someone who is chronically depressed, mentally ill, institutionalized, or suicidal
• 7. Mother is treated violently
• 8. One or no parents
• 9. Emotional or physical neglect

And I found the following text on the site “The Lamplighters”, which is a community partner to the ACE-study:

Do you fit the profile of a victim of incest or child sexual abuse?

Check any of the following individual behavior patterns that fit you.

1. People-pleasing and rescuing
2. Insomnia
3. Excessive need to control
4. Obsessive, compulsive behavior patterns
5. Needy
6. Low self-esteem
7. Suicidal
8. Weak boundaries
9. Unhealthy choices in members of the opposite sex
10. Neurotic tendencies
11. Addictions: drugs, alcohol, sex, food, relationships
12. Eating disorders
13. Chronic illness
14. Manic-depressive behavior (emotional extemes of highs and lows)
15. Severe depression

Now it's time to take a look at the other common denominators of a child who has been sexually abused, the family system ones. This is the forest that your trees (the individual common denominators) grew under. Check which of the following family systems common denominators fit you.

1. Patriarchal (or matriarchal) family system
2. Obedient/co-dependent mother (father)
3. Religiously regimented household
4. Eldest daughter
5. Alcoholic (or other addiction) parent
6. Family history of sexual boundary violators

Are you starting to see the picture?

It's never too late to get into incest recovery or recovery from child sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape or domestic violence.

About “Authentic Voices International” it stands:

“The Value of a Voice.
We believe that by telling the stories of our lived experiences, we can
help dispel the secrecy and shame that keep people from moving on
toward a brighter future.”