Current Public Policy Efforts
Prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). ACES include childhood emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and living with a family member who has been incarcerated or is mentally ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019) reported that ACES have a graded dose-response with over 40+ outcomes, including mental illness, suicide attempts, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, heart disease, stroke, broken bones, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, ACES are known to increase health risk behaviors (alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and smoking), reduce academic achievement and graduation rates, and increase time lost from work (CDC, 2019; Kalmakis & Chandler, 2014).
We are currently involved in promoting a strategic approach to prevent ACES in Ohio.
We have been working closely with legislators to promote the elimination of the statute of limitations for sexual crimes and the marital rape exemptions, which still exists in twelve states, including Ohio.
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