03 04
Recognise 02
Re-Intergrate
Resist
ACES draws attention to how childhood adversity can affect the whole of adult functioning, which points to the second element of being trauma- informed, that we need to recognise the ubiquitous effects of stress and trauma in all systems from individuals to a broader society. This entails recognising the impact of trauma on the brain, body, and relationships, affecting how we respond, both to ourselves and those around us. A lack of understanding means that often we respond to many of the social issues inappropriately.
Resist re-traumatisation. We want to, as far as possible, be able to prevent the unnecessary repetition of toxic stressors. We therefore must prioritise our own self- care and wellness, by managing our own trauma and stress. By minimising or denying these kinds of effects on ourselves we run the risk of hurting ourselves and others in the long run, be it our children, family, or colleagues. Furthermore, avoiding the unintentional, excluding and dehumanizing of others also means having to consider the power dynamics of race, gender, and sexual orientation. This lies beyond our values and beliefs and requirements, especially those in power, to deal with the implicit biases in ourselves as well as within institutional and organisational structures
This understanding and approach must be re- integrated into our lives and organisations, our daily practices, programmes and policies. "Going through these steps helps to build a deeper holistic understanding of the effects of toxic stress and inter- generational trauma, bringing an awareness of human rights, building positive resilience individually and collectively. Ultimately transforming the
culture of that environment."
This definition was crafted by and is used by Restore Reconnect Rebuild Pty Ltd (R-Cubed). It is based on the work of Dr Arlene Benjamin, Ph.D. (former Director of R-Cubed) https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html
20 | Collective Action Magazine
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