Male survivors of sexual abuse can have their voices heard at a special retreat happening in Sudbury this weekend.

The three-day retreat has been organized by the Sudbury Counselling Centre and is the first of its kind in northeastern Ontario.

The centre has funding from the Ministry of the Attorney General to run programming for men who have been sexually abused.

A centre spokesperson said they've put a lot of thought into the activities for the retreat.

Sudbury Counselling Centre worker Jessica McPhee says this weekend's retreat for male sex abuse survivors has 23 participants.Sudbury Counselling Centre worker Jessica McPhee says this weekend's retreat for male sex abuse survivors has 23 participants. (Hilary Duff/CBC)

"There's also going to be an opportunity for men to share their stories,” Jessica McPhee said.

“And then we end the weekend with, we call it, Bridges for Home, so that's what support services and what can men do post-the weekend to continue on their healing journey."

McPhee said the weekend event has attracted 23 men from all over the province.

Male survivors of sexual abuse who are not going to the retreat can still attend fully-funded group and individual counselling through the Sudbury Counselling Centre, she added.

McPhee noted the group nature of the retreat will be good for the men.

"Speaking in a big group helps to end isolation — and for men to see that they're not alone,” she said.

“They can look around the room and see that there's other men who have been in their position and have experienced some of the same things or have been victimized in one way or another."