Nina’s Place at Joseph Brant Hospital marks 20th anniversary

Nina’s Place, Halton Region’s  sexual assault and domestic violence centre, is marking 20 years of providing survivor-centred care and services for adults, youth, and children in Burlington and surrounding communities.

Located inside Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital, Nina’s Place has a team of specialized nurses, physicians, and social workers who provide care and support in a safe, private, and quiet environment.

First opening its doors on December 6, 2001, Nina’s Place is named in memory of Nina de Villiers, a 19-year-old Burlington resident who was abducted and killed in 1991 by a man with a history of violence against women.

On Monday, Jane McKenna, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues and MPP for Burlington, toured Nina’s Place with JBH President and CEO Eric Vandewall and charge nurse Linda Rhodes.

“On the National Day of Remembrance of Action on Violence Against Women, it is so important to raise awareness of these issues and the supports that are available in our communities,” said MPP Jane McKenna, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. “We are so fortunate to have this resource in Burlington and I am grateful for the opportunity to come and see the important work being done here.”

“Nina’s Place ensures survivors get the care and help they need and feel safe and empowered by an approach that is centred around their wishes,” said Eric Vandewall, President and CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital. “The outstanding team at JBH is committed to providing a spectrum of care spanning medical attention, mental health supports and community resources.”

 Open 24 hours a day year-round, Nina’s Place provides specialized care for those who have experienced sexual assault within 12 days and/or recent domestic violence. Care is also available to children who have recently told someone they have been sexually assaulted. The trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault can cause lifelong physical and mental health issues that impact families and communities, such as lost work opportunities and homelessness.

At Nina’s Place, service is provided by specially-trained nurses who are on call 24 hours a day and can respond within 45 minutes to any individual who needs help. Medical and police reports are made with sensitivity and privacy, minimizing the individual's exposure to police facilities, the general public and the clinical environment of the hospital. Survivors can receive short-term counselling, help with safety planning and be referred to community agencies for ongoing support.

“Our mission is to create a place of safety, dignity and comfort for survivors,” said Linda Rhodes, charge nurse at Nina’s Place. “We put their needs and wishes first.” 

More information on the services Nina’s Place provides can be found here. 

If you need help, please contact Nina’s Place directly:

Phone: 905-632-3737 ext. 5708 (during business hours)

Emergency Department: 905-336-4116

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JBH Annual Report 21-22: Extraordinary Moments, Exceptional Care

The 2021-2022 Annual Report showcases the extraordinary to the seemingly ordinary moments from the past year that collectively represent the compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and service our teams share with our patients every day, even when faced with the adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stories reflect a moment in time – please view the Annual Report webpage for a more fulsome report on statistics.