diff --git a/client/coral-admin/src/containers/ModerationQueue/components/Comment.js b/client/coral-admin/src/containers/ModerationQueue/components/Comment.js
index a31fbd313..b18f239e4 100644
--- a/client/coral-admin/src/containers/ModerationQueue/components/Comment.js
+++ b/client/coral-admin/src/containers/ModerationQueue/components/Comment.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import FlagBox from './FlagBox';
 import CommentType from './CommentType';
 import ActionButton from 'coral-admin/src/components/ActionButton';
 import BanUserButton from 'coral-admin/src/components/BanUserButton';
+import {getActionSummary} from 'coral-framework/utils';
 
 const linkify = new Linkify();
 
@@ -20,8 +21,8 @@ const lang = new I18n(translations);
 const Comment = ({actions = [], comment, ...props}) => {
   const links = linkify.getMatches(comment.body);
   const linkText = links ? links.map(link => link.raw) : [];
-  const actionSummaries = comment.action_summaries.filter(a => a.__typename === 'FlagActionSummary');
-  const flagActions = comment.actions.filter(a => a.__typename === 'FlagAction');
+  const flagActionSummaries = getActionSummary('FlagActionSummary', comment);
+  const flagActions = comment.actions && comment.actions.filter(a => a.__typename === 'FlagAction');
 
   return (
     <li tabIndex={props.index} className={`mdl-card ${props.selected ? 'mdl-shadow--8dp' : 'mdl-shadow--2dp'} ${styles.Comment} ${styles.listItem}`}>
@@ -71,7 +72,11 @@ const Comment = ({actions = [], comment, ...props}) => {
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
-      {flagActions && <FlagBox actions={flagActions} actionSummaries={actionSummaries} />}
+      {
+        flagActions && flagActions.length
+        ? <FlagBox actions={flagActions} actionSummaries={flagActionSummaries} />
+        : null
+      }
     </li>
   );
 };
diff --git a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/Comment.js b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/Comment.js
index 4a75a19cb..51402e490 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/Comment.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/Comment.js
@@ -22,11 +22,10 @@ import LoadMore from 'coral-embed-stream/src/LoadMore';
 import {Slot} from 'coral-framework';
 import IgnoredCommentTombstone from './IgnoredCommentTombstone';
 import {TopRightMenu} from './TopRightMenu';
+import {getActionSummary, getTotalActionCount, iPerformedThisAction} from 'coral-framework/utils';
 
 import styles from './Comment.css';
 
-const getActionSummary = (type, comment) => comment.action_summaries
-  .filter((a) => a.__typename === type)[0];
 const isStaff = (tags) => !tags.every((t) => t.name !== 'STAFF') ;
 
 // hold actions links (e.g. Like, Reply) along the comment footer
@@ -124,9 +123,16 @@ class Comment extends React.Component {
       commentIsIgnored,
     } = this.props;
 
-    const like = getActionSummary('LikeActionSummary', comment);
-    const flag = getActionSummary('FlagActionSummary', comment);
-    const dontagree = getActionSummary('DontAgreeActionSummary', comment);
+    const likeSummary = getActionSummary('LikeActionSummary', comment);
+    const flagSummary = getActionSummary('FlagActionSummary', comment);
+    const dontAgreeSummary = getActionSummary('DontAgreeActionSummary', comment);
+    let myFlag = null;
+    if (iPerformedThisAction('FlagActionSummary', comment)) {
+      myFlag = flagSummary.find(s => s.current_user);
+    } else if (iPerformedThisAction('DontAgreeActionSummary', comment)) {
+      myFlag = dontAgreeSummary.find(s => s.current_user);
+    }
+
     let commentClass = parentId ? `reply ${styles.Reply}` : `comment ${styles.Comment}`;
     commentClass += comment.id === 'pending' ? ` ${styles.pendingComment}` : '';
 
@@ -183,8 +189,10 @@ class Comment extends React.Component {
           <Content body={comment.body} />
           <div className="commentActionsLeft comment__action-container">
             <ActionButton>
+              {/* TODO implmement iPerformedThisAction for the like */}
               <LikeButton
-                like={like}
+                totalLikes={getTotalActionCount('LikeActionSummary', comment)}
+                like={likeSummary[0]}
                 id={comment.id}
                 postLike={postLike}
                 deleteAction={deleteAction}
@@ -217,7 +225,8 @@ class Comment extends React.Component {
             </ActionButton>
             <ActionButton>
               <FlagComment
-                flag={flag && flag.current_user ? flag : dontagree}
+                flaggedByCurrentUser={!!myFlag}
+                flag={myFlag}
                 id={comment.id}
                 author_id={comment.user.id}
                 postFlag={postFlag}
diff --git a/client/coral-framework/utils/index.js b/client/coral-framework/utils/index.js
index 6d589cf23..4e9c29db7 100644
--- a/client/coral-framework/utils/index.js
+++ b/client/coral-framework/utils/index.js
@@ -1,7 +1,31 @@
-/**
-* getActionSummary
-* retrieves the action summary based on the type and the comment
-*/
+export const getTotalActionCount = (type, comment) => {
+  return comment.action_summaries
+    .filter(s => s.__typename === type)
+    .reduce((total, summary) => {
+      return total + summary.count;
+    }, 0);
+};
 
-export const getActionSummary = (type, comment) =>
-  comment.action_summaries.filter(a => a.__typename === type)[0];
+export const iPerformedThisAction = (type, comment) => {
+
+  // if there is a current_user on any of the ActionSummary(s), the user performed this action
+  return comment.action_summaries
+    .filter(a => a.__typename === type)
+    .some(a => a.current_user);
+};
+
+export const getMyActionSummary = (type, comment) => {
+  return comment.action_summaries
+    .filter(a => a.__typename === type)
+    .find(a => a.current_user);
+};
+
+ /**
+ * getActionSummary
+ * retrieves the action summaries based on the type and the comment
+ * array could be length > 1, as in the case of FlagActionSummary
+ */
+
+export const getActionSummary = (type, comment) => {
+  return comment.action_summaries.filter(a => a.__typename === type);
+};
diff --git a/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js b/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js
index 45110f407..054ca2fb1 100644
--- a/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js
+++ b/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js
@@ -21,15 +21,15 @@ class FlagButton extends Component {
 
   // When the "report" button is clicked expand the menu
   onReportClick = () => {
-    const {currentUser, flag, deleteAction} = this.props;
+    const {currentUser, deleteAction, flaggedByCurrentUser, flag} = this.props;
     const {localPost, localDelete} = this.state;
-    const flagged = (flag && flag.current_user && !localDelete) || localPost;
+    const localFlagged = (flaggedByCurrentUser && !localDelete) || localPost;
     if (!currentUser) {
       const offset = document.getElementById(`c_${this.props.id}`).getBoundingClientRect().top - 75;
       this.props.showSignInDialog(offset);
       return;
     }
-    if (flagged) {
+    if (localFlagged) {
       this.setState((prev) => prev.localPost ? {...prev, localPost: null, step: 0} : {...prev, localDelete: true});
       deleteAction(localPost || flag.current_user.id);
     } else if (this.state.showMenu){
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ class FlagButton extends Component {
   }
 
   render () {
-    const {flag, getPopupMenu} = this.props;
+    const {getPopupMenu, flaggedByCurrentUser} = this.props;
     const {localPost, localDelete} = this.state;
-    const flagged = (flag && flag.current_user && !localDelete) || localPost;
+    const flagged = (flaggedByCurrentUser && !localDelete) || localPost;
     const popupMenu = getPopupMenu[this.state.step](this.state.itemType);
 
     return <div className={`${name}-container`}>
diff --git a/client/coral-plugin-likes/LikeButton.js b/client/coral-plugin-likes/LikeButton.js
index 51854c57f..8f6964051 100644
--- a/client/coral-plugin-likes/LikeButton.js
+++ b/client/coral-plugin-likes/LikeButton.js
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@ class LikeButton extends Component {
 
   render() {
     const {like, id, postLike, deleteAction, showSignInDialog, currentUser} = this.props;
+    let {totalLikes: count} = this.props;
     const {localPost, localDelete} = this.state;
     const liked = (like && like.current_user && !localDelete) || localPost;
-    let count = like ? like.count : 0;
     if (localPost) {count += 1;}
     if (localDelete) {count -= 1;}
 
diff --git a/graph/typeDefs.graphql b/graph/typeDefs.graphql
index 0a067b49c..eb376b0de 100644
--- a/graph/typeDefs.graphql
+++ b/graph/typeDefs.graphql
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ type User {
   username: String!
 
   # Action summaries against the user.
-  action_summaries: [ActionSummary]
+  action_summaries: [ActionSummary]!
 
   # Actions completed on the parent.
   actions: [Action]
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ type Comment {
   actions: [Action]
 
   # Action summaries against a comment.
-  action_summaries: [ActionSummary]
+  action_summaries: [ActionSummary]!
 
   # The asset that a comment was made on.
   asset: Asset
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ type Asset {
 
   # Summary of all Actions against all entities associated with the Asset.
   # (likes, flags, etc.). Requires the `ADMIN` role.
-  action_summaries: [AssetActionSummary]
+  action_summaries: [AssetActionSummary!]
 
   # The date that the asset was created.
   created_at: Date
diff --git a/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/components/RespectButton.js b/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/components/RespectButton.js
index 9e851460e..417b978ad 100644
--- a/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/components/RespectButton.js
+++ b/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/components/RespectButton.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import Icon from './Icon';
 import {I18n} from 'coral-framework';
 import cn from 'classnames';
 import translations from '../translations.json';
+import {getMyActionSummary, getTotalActionCount} from 'coral-framework/utils';
 
 const lang = new I18n(translations);
 
@@ -14,8 +15,7 @@ class RespectButton extends Component {
     const {postRespect, showSignInDialog, deleteAction, commentId} = this.props;
     const {me, comment} = this.props.data;
 
-    const respect = comment.action_summaries[0];
-    const respected = (respect && respect.current_user);
+    const myRespectActionSummary = getMyActionSummary('RespectActionSummary', comment);
 
     // If the current user does not exist, trigger sign in dialog.
     if (!me) {
@@ -29,29 +29,33 @@ class RespectButton extends Component {
       return;
     }
 
-    if (!respected) {
+    if (myRespectActionSummary) {
+      deleteAction(myRespectActionSummary.current_user.id);
+    } else {
       postRespect({
         item_id: commentId,
         item_type: 'COMMENTS'
       });
-    } else {
-      deleteAction(respect.current_user.id);
     }
   }
 
   render() {
     const {comment} = this.props.data;
-    const respect = comment && comment.action_summaries && comment.action_summaries[0];
-    const respected = respect && respect.current_user;
-    let count = respect ? respect.count : 0;
+
+    if (!comment) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const myRespect = getMyActionSummary('RespectActionSummary', comment);
+    let count = getTotalActionCount('RespectActionSummary', comment);
 
     return (
       <div className={styles.respect}>
         <button
-          className={cn(styles.button, {[styles.respected]: respected})}
+          className={cn(styles.button, {[styles.respected]: myRespect})}
           onClick={this.handleClick} >
-          <span>{lang.t(respected ? 'respected' : 'respect')}</span>
-          <Icon className={cn(styles.icon, {[styles.respected]: respected})} />
+          <span>{lang.t(myRespect ? 'respected' : 'respect')}</span>
+          <Icon className={cn(styles.icon, {[styles.respected]: myRespect})} />
           {count > 0 && count}
         </button>
       </div>
@@ -64,4 +68,3 @@ RespectButton.propTypes = {
 };
 
 export default RespectButton;
-
diff --git a/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/containers/RespectButton.js b/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/containers/RespectButton.js
index 047f7991f..bcf0e342d 100644
--- a/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/containers/RespectButton.js
+++ b/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/containers/RespectButton.js
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import RespectButton from '../components/RespectButton';
 // See https://dev-blog.apollodata.com/apollo-clients-new-imperative-store-api-6cb69318a1e3
 // and https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-client/issues/1224
 
+const isRespectAction = (a) => a.__typename === 'RespectActionSummary';
+
 export const RESPECT_QUERY = gql`
   query RespectQuery($commentId: ID!) {
     comment(id: $commentId) {
@@ -52,18 +54,21 @@ const withDeleteAction = graphql(gql`
         },
         updateQueries: {
           RespectQuery: (prev) => {
-            if (get(prev, 'comment.action_summaries.0.current_user.id') !== id) {
+            const action_summaries = prev.comment.action_summaries;
+            const idx = action_summaries.findIndex(isRespectAction);
+            if (idx < 0 || get(action_summaries[idx], 'current_user.id') !== id) {
               return prev;
             }
             const next = {
               ...prev,
               comment: {
                 ...prev.comment,
-                action_summaries: [{
-                  __typename: 'RespectActionSummary',
-                  count: prev.comment.action_summaries[0].count - 1,
-                  current_user: null,
-                }],
+                action_summaries: action_summaries.map(
+                  (a, i) => i !== idx ? a : ({
+                    ...a,
+                    count: a.count - 1,
+                    current_user: null,
+                  })),
               }
             };
             return next;
@@ -102,21 +107,40 @@ const withPostRespect = graphql(gql`
         },
         updateQueries: {
           RespectQuery: (prev, {mutationResult, queryVariables}) => {
-            if (queryVariables.commentId !== respect.item_id ||
-                get(prev, 'comment.action_summaries.0.current_user')) {
+            if (queryVariables.commentId !== respect.item_id) {
               return prev;
             }
+
+            let action_summaries = prev.comment.action_summaries;
+            let idx = action_summaries.findIndex(isRespectAction);
+
+            // Check whether we already respected this comment.
+            if (idx >= 0 && action_summaries[idx].current_user) {
+              return prev;
+            }
+
+            if (idx < 0) {
+
+              // Add initial action when it doesn't exist.
+              action_summaries = action_summaries.concat([{
+                __typename: 'RespectActionSummary',
+                count: 0,
+                current_user: null,
+              }]);
+              idx = action_summaries.length - 1;
+            }
+
             const respectAction = mutationResult.data.createRespect.respect;
-            const count = prev.comment.action_summaries[0] ? prev.comment.action_summaries[0].count : 0;
             const next = {
               ...prev,
               comment: {
                 ...prev.comment,
-                action_summaries: [{
-                  __typename: 'RespectActionSummary',
-                  count: count + 1,
-                  current_user: respectAction,
-                }],
+                action_summaries: action_summaries.map(
+                  (a, i) => i !== idx ? a : ({
+                    ...a,
+                    count: a.count + 1,
+                    current_user: respectAction,
+                  })),
               }
             };
             return next;
@@ -138,4 +162,3 @@ const enhance = compose(
 );
 
 export default enhance(RespectButton);
-
diff --git a/services/actions.js b/services/actions.js
index 0bcb81af0..40bef65bb 100644
--- a/services/actions.js
+++ b/services/actions.js
@@ -48,10 +48,16 @@ module.exports = class ActionsService {
    * Finds actions in an array of ids.
    * @param {String} ids array of user identifiers (uuid)
   */
-  static findByItemIdArray(item_ids) {
-    return ActionModel.find({
+  static async findByItemIdArray(item_ids) {
+    let actions = await ActionModel.find({
       'item_id': {$in: item_ids}
     });
+
+    if (actions === null) {
+      return [];
+    }
+
+    return actions;
   }
 
   /**