Trauma Proof

Lucid, clear, visionaryBesselvan der Kolk, author ofThe Body Keeps The ScoreAn expert's inspiring, deeply personal account of how childhood trauma can be overcome.From the moment theyre born, babies seek a loving parental attachment. When that connection is absent, it derails childhood development in ways that can last a lifetime. The annual health costs of illness related to child trauma for North America and Europe alone are 1.3 trillion dollars. Child trauma is much more widespread than previously thought and passes from one generation to the next. But thats not the end of the storythere is overwhelming evidence that this intergenerational transmission can be disrupted.So why isnt the eradication of childhood trauma a tier-one public priority, like defense or growth?In Trauma Proof, Benjamin Perks argues that it must be, and that we can tackle it as a public health problem like COVID-19, by 1) Making sure everyone is aware of the risk; 2) Preventing transmission; and 3) Opening pathways to healing.Perks shows we have the tools to make these three things happen, and the evidence to show they work. The fields of psychology, neuroscience, and medicine have made huge leaps in the past 25 years. We now know what causes Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), how to reduce them, and how to address them. For the first time in history, we know child mistreatment is not inevitable.Combining expert interviews and intensive reportage from Jamaica to Scotland, from Brooklyn to Birmingham, Perks shows the steps we can take to stem the epidemic of childhood trauma. He also shares his personal story of growing up in violent group homes, fathering a child at fifteen and finding his way, in his thirties to healing.Trauma Proofis a rallying call to address child trauma as the public health crisis it isbecause we can do better for kids, and we should.