Be Brave Bridge

The Cause

Little Warrior's Be Brave Ranch is an evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment program and is the only program of its kind to offer intensive, specialized, multi-modal treatment to child sexual abuse survivors between the ages of 8-16. Published results from data collected at the Be Brave Ranch in partnership with researchers from the University of Alberta confirm the success of the Ranch treatment program for boys and girls 8-12 and girls ages 13-16. The results include highly significant, reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. Additionally, the intensive and comprehensive treatment program significantly improves self-esteem, cognitive abilities and resiliency.

The Be Brave Ranch was closed temporarily due to COVID-19, which allowed the acceleration of a key strategic initiative for the Be Brave Ranch program: the Be Brave Bridge is a comprehensive online program to support children, teens and their families to reduce the harm of childhood sexual abuse, and provide a 'bridge' to critical mental health trauma supports, fully accessible through the internet. The Bridge allows our therapists and counselors to stay in contact with children and teens who are otherwise isolated and/or unable to receive timely support, both during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Who Will it Benefit?

According to a Canadian government study, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience an unwanted sexual act, 4 out 5 incidents of sexual abuse will occur before the age of 18.

At the Be Brave Ranch east of Edmonton, AB, Little Warriors provides intensive, outcomes-based mental health support and trauma treatment to address the trauma from childhood sexual abuse, at no cost to participants and their families. Every year, nearly 100 new children and teens from across Canada enter the Ranch program for the first time, with many more from every province on the waiting list to receive services and support. To date, Little Warriors has provided over 60,000 hours of critical trauma treatment at the Be Brave Ranch.

The Be Brave Ranch was closed temporarily due to COVID-19, which allowed the acceleration of a key strategic initiative for the Be Brave Ranch program; the Be Brave Bridge is a comprehensive online program to support children, teens, and their families to reduce the harm of childhood sexual abuse and provide a 'bridge' to critical mental health trauma supports, fully accessible through the internet. The Bridge allows our therapists and counsellors to stay in contact with children and teens who are otherwise isolated and/or unable to receive timely support, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Bridge offers three distinct programs:
- Online Parent/Caregiver Interactive Program: to support children and teens with a trauma history
- Online Adolescent Interactive Program: Teaches and supports traumatized teens through various modules, video education and ongoing coaching and support
- Online Children's Interactive Program: Helps traumatized children through various modules, video coaching and support.