Kimberly Corban

Today marks my 20th Brave Day.

On May 12th, 2006, a complete stranger made a choice that irrevocably changed my life and the lives of so many others.

For the longest time, this day felt bittersweet. Not only was I dealing with the traumatic aftermath of surviving such a heinous crime, but it also happened to be my mom’s birthday. Celebrating her without acknowledging what we had all endured as a family felt wrong. Calling it an “anniversary” felt even more uncomfortable. But each year as May rolled around, it was as if my mind and my body were transported back to that point in time. I’m 20 years old, getting ready for a summer of classes, work, and hanging out with my best friends in our new apartments. I’m stuck retracing my steps, wondering what I missed, what I could have done differently, scolding myself for not just “getting over it”.

Then, in 2021, I was editing a 15th anniversary video series about the minute-by-minute account of the day I was assaulted to help educate new audiences on the realities crime victims face. My kindergarten daughter came bouncing in to my office and asked what I was doing. As we always do in our home, I gave her an honest, but age-appropriate answer.

“I’m helping teach people with videos about the day the man broke in and hurt mommy, and how Daddy put him in jail.”

She paused for the briefest of seconds, and then said:

“Oh. So it’s about the day you were brave. It’s your Brave Day”.

I—I was speechless.

My Brave Day.

Of course, she just skips away, her blond hair swaying behind her as if she hadn’t just dropped that profoundly impactful gift in my lap.

In just a few words, my six-year-old daughter reframed my entire experience as a survivor of sexual violence. The way I’d always thought about the event that ultimately became my life’s “before” and “after” turning point was no longer about what someone else chose to do to me. My ‘Brave Day’ became about the choices I made in the aftermath.

Calling it my Brave Day restored my power over that moment in time. It gave me the words to recognize the pain and trauma and grief this victimization inflicted upon me and everyone I know, but to simultaneously appreciate how far we have all come.

As I’ve told other survivors about what my little girl said that day, I have watched eyes swell with tears, goosebumps take over, and heard voices crack with an equally emotional response. Maybe it’s because somewhere deep down, so many of us know what it means to carry a date, a season, a memory, or a moment that changed everything.

Being brave does not have to mean you reported, went through a trial, or chose to speak publicly as I have. Sometimes being brave is simply choosing to keep going in a world that tried and failed to break you.

So maybe your Brave Day is the day you survived something no one should ever have to endure.

Maybe it’s the day you spoke the truth out loud.

The day you set a boundary.

The day you asked for help. The day you started over.

Or the moment you finally realized how brave you have been all along.

And if you don’t know what your Brave Day is yet, you are always welcome to share mine.

Here’s to the next 20 years of being brave. 💖

Every one of us can help the survivors in our lives when we listen to them, believe them, and support them.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by SA, help is available. Visit RAINN.org RAINN or contact your local r8pe crisis center for support.

Michael Rourke met Kimberly Corban at perhaps her life’s lowest point. bit.ly/4tttJCp

📷: Bret Hartman/The Greeley Tribune

Hello all you new people!

Ha. See what I did there? People...

Anyway, I’m Kim and it’s nice to para-socially meet you. If you’re here because you came across my story in and were moved or inspired in some way, thank you for showing up. I’d like to quickly introduce you to more of what I do day-to-day.

I’m honored to work for my wonderful local SA Crisis Center, . This is the advocacy that matters.

Not just the polished parts and headlines, but the authentic work of making sure survivors have somewhere to go, someone to call, and are supported when they need it most.

Our advocates are on-call 24/7 staffing our hotline for Larimer and Weld County residents (celebrating 50 years in 2026, btw), our thera**sts see survivors ages three and up at no cost to the victim’s or their family, and our prevention education team works alongside our school systems to make sure every child has the knowledge and tools to help prevent sexual violence from ever occurring int he first place.

That kind of community care does not exist by accident. It exists because people just like me and you choose to build it, fund it, and protect it.

Right now, survivor-serving organizations like ours need support more than ever. Federal funding has been slashed. Resources are stretched thin. And the need continues to rise.

So if you heard my story and are you’re wondering what to do with your care and compassion for victims of these crimes like me, here’s one way to get started: support your local survivor assistance organizations, and consider giving to SAVA Center.

Donate if you can. Volunteer if you’re ready. Offer your professional skills and expertise. For my local Northern Colorado folks, that’s . For others, I hope this is your nudge to locate the organization in your own community doing this work and get involved.

Your time, talent, treasure. It all matters.

Thank you for sticking around, I’m so glad you’re here!

📸: at their “Dare To Be” fundraiser benefitting SAVA

“I Survived”, the documentary about my story, is out now.

You’ll also get to see the feature spread in their print edition of the magazine on newsstands everywhere the week of May 3rd.

A huge thank you to the talented for his unwavering determination in bringing this to life. You have put on a true master class in creating ethical, survivor-led art. I am endlessly grateful for you and your team.

I was honored to deliver the keynote address for the 28th Annual Kansas Crime Victims’ Rights Conference alongside this afternoon. Together, we shared ‘Two Stories of Survivor-Led Justice: Diversifying Victim-Centred Approaches to Case Management’ to a state-wide audience of professionals and advocates.

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite presentations to give as it showcases the importance of survivor-led justice and healing.

If you or your organization is interested in booking this educational presentation, we would love to connect!

Let’s go, gals 💖

Another successful Galentine’s Day with in the books. My personal favorite was the puppy kissing booth thanks to . And my apologies to .piercing for my aggressive Celine solo in the middle of my piercing. That wasn’t very smart on my part (100% would do it again).

📸

I’ve kept this one quiet because I didn’t want to jinx it. But it’s really happening.

Stay tuned…