04/24/2026
NSHN Launches Victim Services Programming at Blind River Site
Blind River, ON – Through strong collaboration between the Province of Ontario, the North Shore Health Network (NSHN), the Town of Blind River, Mississauga First Nation, Ontario Provincial Police - North East Region, Huron Shores Family Health Team, and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, the North Shore Health Network – Blind River Site is proud to announce the launch of Victim Services Programming.
This new program provides sexual assault evidence kit collection and compassionate, trauma-informed support for survivors—closer to home.
Historically, these services were only accessible in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, creating significant barriers for individuals seeking care. Travel logistics, cost, safety concerns, and timing often added to the trauma and, in some cases, prevented people from accessing care when they needed it most.
Survivors accessing care at NSHN can expect:
• Care delivered with discretion, respect, and without judgement
• The option to receive care without automatically involving police
• You are in control of whether or not to contact police
• Access to trained staff 24/7, 365 days a year
• Full control over the sexual assault evidence kit process
• Access to new, comfortable clothing at no cost if clothing is collected as evidence
• Timely access to medications that can help prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
• No cost for services (available to survivors aged 16+)
• Connection to local support services and resources close to home
To support awareness, informational cards are being distributed to communities, secondary schools, and social service providers across the North Shore.
If you have experienced sexual assault, support is available.
📞 Call 705-356-2265 or 1-888-425-0321
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
Attached photo L-R: Laura Mayer, Councillor, Mississaga First Nation & daughter Elizabeth Bellefeuille; Liane Hebner, OPP; Inspector Tyler Sturgeon, Commander, East Algoma Detachment, OPP; Shelley Watt Proulx, Victim Specialist, East Algoma; Tim Vine, President & CEO, NSHN; Alyssa Spooney, Director, Huron Shores Family Health Team; Mayor Sally Hagman, Town of Blind River; MPP Bill Rosenberg, Algoma – Manitoulin; Bonnie Campbell, Nurse Manager, NSHN; Karen Bittner, Director of Facilities and Community Services, Town of Blind River; Elizabeth Cu***ng, Nurse Manager, NSHN
