Our vision is to help keep children everywhere safe from exploitation.
We seek to engage, educate, empower and equip children to know how to keep themselves and others safe from exploitation.
We achieve this by raising awareness among children ages 8 to 10 and their supporting adults through the story of a bear called Brave. We also offer a range of accompanying resources.
The Story of Brave
Brave is a story of friendship and freedom! Inspired by true stories of a little girl who was rescued from exploitation with her teddy bear and a coffee roasting business that empowers survivors of exploitation.
Brave is an easy-to-read, fictional book. Full of many attractive illustrations that immediately capture the imagination and attention of all who read it. Brave is very sensitively written thus making it an invaluable resource for children to explore this important issue alongside a trusted adult. It is also available as a story being read on YouTube
Don’t just take our word for it, here’s a review from a nine-year-old.
“It’s good because it will help people realize that things can go wrong easily if people are not careful and aware. My favorite character is Jenny because she helps Bella. The words I’d use to describe the book are sad, happy, worrying, and exciting. 5 stars!”
Our Book
Brave is a story of friendship and freedom! Inspired by true stories of a little girl who was rescued from exploitation with her teddy bear and a coffee roasting business that empowers survivors of exploitation.
Brave is an easy-to-read, fictional book. Full of many attractive illustrations that immediately capture the imagination and attention of all who read it. Brave is very sensitively written thus making it an invaluable resource for children to explore this important issue alongside a trusted adult. It is also available as a story being read on YouTube
Don’t just take our word for it, here’s a review from a nine-year-old.
“It’s good because it will help people realize that things can go wrong easily if people are not careful and aware. My favorite character is Jenny because she helps Bella. The words I’d use to describe the book are sad, happy, worrying, and exciting. 5 stars!”
Brave is available in the following languages
- English for the UK, including the relevant signposting and helplines
- English for the United States, including the relevant signposting and helplines
- Global English Version
- Welsh
- Ukranian
- Spanish for the Dominican Republic, including relevant signposting and helplines
- Global Spanish version
- Arabic (from Spring 2024)
- Russian (from Spring 2024)
Making an Impact
“The Brave Bear book is a fantastic resource that addresses the complex issue of modern slavery in a suitably age-appropriate and effective way. We are lucky to have been able to utilize the book as a resource with young people in service where appropriate and it helps to provide a safe way to discuss some of the risks posed to young people we work with and/or other young people they might come into contact with.”
“The Wales Police Schools Program officers have recently been trained by Heather Lewis, from the Brave Bear Trust. The training is essential to further the officers’ understanding of exploitation and its extent and impact on children. Armed with this knowledge they can raise awareness among the school children they reach, so they can recognize the signs and keep themselves safe. A well-presented and challenging presentation!”
“It is both sad and scary that this topic even needs to be addressed, but the awareness is so needed and so important. Brave Bear helps parents and children have a hard conversation in a gentle way. I am thankful for the author of this book and the message it conveys to the readers.”
“Thank you Brave Bear Trust! The book and accompanying resources allowed our children to explore the concepts of exploitation and modern day slavery in an age appropriate way.”
Results from Independent Review of Brave Book
In 2020, an independent evaluation of ‘Brave’ was commissioned to capture feedback from a range of perspectives on the issue of exploitation, the need for a tool to raise awareness among children, the ‘Brave’ book, and accompanying resources.
A five-staged mixed methodology was utilized with a diverse group of participants including parents, adult caregivers, educational professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations, government representatives working in the field, and children ages 8 to 10.
The report confirmed a vital need for the book and made several recommendations about creating additional resources to enhance the impact of ‘Brave’. Please contact us if you wish to see a copy of the report or have further questions.