70-year-old employee of a children’s aid organization arrested for sexual assault

The North Bay Police Service has charged a 70-year-old man with multiple counts of sexual assault that occurred while he was employed as a counselor for Algonquin Child and Family Services (now Hands the Family Help Network).

According to police, in 2004, while working as a counselor for Algonquin Child and Family Services, a man repeatedly sexually abused a client who was a minor at the time of the incidents.

North Bay Police Service arrests Eric William Crowther of North Bay on July 18. At the time of his arrest, he was employed as a counselor with Hands the Family Help Network. He also runs an independent counseling and therapy practice called Eric W Crowther, Registered Social Worker.

According to his website, he received his Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1985 with a focus on individual, family and group therapy.

Crowther says, “My passions, aside from God, family and work, are photography, gardening, reading (history, psychology and theology), writing and canoeing.”

North Bay police say they have reason to believe Crowther may have injured other people who have not yet reported the incidents to police.

“We encourage all potential victims to contact the police, regardless of how long ago the incidents occurred,” a press release said.

Crowther is accused of:

• Three cases of sexual assault
• Inviting sexual contact under the age of 16
• Sexual harassment

If you or someone you know has been a victim of the accused, or if you have any additional information regarding this or similar incidents, please contact the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555 and ask to speak to Detective Constable Sarah Marcotte or Detective Constable Megan MacPherson. If you prefer to share information anonymously, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Crowther was held in custody at the North Bay Courthouse pending a bail hearing.