Our evidence-based program

The evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment program 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.

Little Warriors announced the highly anticipated preliminary results of its clinical data collection project conducted at the Be Brave Ranch. This preliminary data, published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Behaviour, shows improvements in the outcomes measures and that there are significant reductions in symptoms among child sexual abuse survivors who complete the Be Brave Ranch treatment program and improved outcomes. Ongoing evaluation and quantitative data analysis is conducted and reviewed through a Scientific and Clinical Council.

The Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has published research on Little Warrior’s multimodal adolescent child sexual abuse treatment program.

In the study of 27 adolescent females with a mean age of 14, the findings establish an over 20% reduction in average scores for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Anxiety; as well as a roughly 20% improvement in Quality of Life and Self-Esteem after only one round of treatment which is 12 days.

I spent time with other counsellors, I even had to go to the hospital lots before because I was suicidal...now I know some real strategies that help me. I think I'm going to become a staff at the Ranch when I get older...
Brandie

With child sexual abuse affecting millions of children across North America, and multiple long-term psychiatric and physical outcomes identified*, these results signify a major milestone for children, families and society as a whole.

*Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful events experienced by a child before they reach the age of 18

Research has consistently shown that exposure to toxic stress in childhood related to ACEs can result in negative health outcomes in adulthood involving physical, behavioral and social issues which can last a lifetime. The 10 most commonly researched ACEs are:

  • Sexual abuse
  • Verbal abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Physical neglect
  • Emotional neglect
  • Parental separation
  • Household mental illness
  • Household domestic violence
  • Household drug or alcohol abuse
  • Incarceration of a household member

An ACE score is determined by answering a series of questions related to childhood experiences in each category. As a person’s ACE score increases so does their likelihood of negative health outcomes in adulthood. It is important to recognize that outcomes will not be the same for every individual, but it is evident that both prevention and early intervention can be crucial to an individual’s lifelong wellbeing.