"I just wish there was some place I could go."

The interest list for the first Men's Sunlight Rape Retreats is now open. Thank you for your interest. We are planning our inaugural retreat for male survivors (ages 18+) in San Diego. Once we have 25+ male survivors signed up on our interest list, we will plan a date which we will share with our interest list.

Let's stop hiding. Hi, I am Brittany Catton Kirk, and I am a survivor from an attack in 2012. In the months and years after, I tried to manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a deep depression while keeping my career and relationship going. Some family wanted me to go to rehab, which is designed for those with substance abuse issues, not survivors of rape with PTSD. I searched for a place I could go, and had zero luck.
 
This is where the idea for Sunlight Rape Retreats was born. The experience is still raw five years later, it will always be raw, but every time someone whispers to me that it happened to them too, or some bright young person kills themselves out of grief, it hurts much more. I cannot tolerate the silence and secrecy any longer.

Sunlight Rape Retreats are safe, therapeutic at-cost retreats where survivors of rape can heal in person with peer support, professional counselors, and customized programs on all the tools and services available to help them heal.
 
This retreat will not solve the deep-seated trauma of rape, but my goal is to arm survivors with knowledge, self-care options, and an empowering network of fellow survivors to help them navigate - something that I wished was available for me five years ago.
 
You won't have to tell your story a thousand times and you won't be questioned. But you will get support. I know there is a better way to recover than what I went through, and I really wish I had something like this to jumpstart that process.
 

Please tell us below what topics are most important to you, as well as your contact information, so that we may contact you when dates and locations are finalized. Our retreats are in a beautiful, peaceful, safe setting where we can build lifelong friendships and a stronger network. Information provided will only be used for retreat planning purposes and will not be shared or sold.
 
One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. The cost and impact of rape costs approximately $151,423, and costs the US annually ($127 billion) more than any other crime. 94 percent of women report PTSD two weeks after the rape and 33% contemplate suicide.  There currently are no ongoing retreats for rape survivors.
 
Sunlight Rape Retreats will empower survivors with professionally lead discussions on recovery, PTSD, body image, self-esteem, triggers, and tools. Two out of three rapes go unreported. 70% of rape victims suffer distress and are more likely to consider suicide, use drugs, and have increased problems with relationships, school and work. Sunlight will offer a healing outlet for proactive survivors to gain tools to combat their PTSD.


Please note that this retreat is not considered medical treatment but rather peer support. All participants will have to sign a waiver/liability release in order to attend. If you are in crisis and would like to speak to someone, here are some additional resources:
San Diego Rape Crisis Center 24 hour bilingual helpline: 888-348-4657
Department of Defense Safe Hotline: 877-995-5247
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)