This week, Jessica Baker publicly revealed herself as the survivor of a 2016 sexual assault involving Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard after successfully lifting a publication ban, made possible by the advocacy efforts of a group of women aiming to improve the legal system.
In 2023, Kelly Favro, Morrell Andrews, and other members of the advocacy group My Voice, My Choice visited Ottawa to witness the passing of Bill S-12 into law. The group had lobbied for updates to ensure victims are consulted regarding publication bans and their potential lifting.
Favro fought for over six months to lift a publication ban on her identity in 2021, a journey documented in the recent CBC film “Breaking Idol.” The legal reforms in 2023 empowered survivors like Jessica to choose how and when to disclose their experiences publicly, offering them a voice without fear of legal repercussions.
Andrews, who stood alongside Canada’s attorney general in Ottawa during the law’s introduction, emphasized the importance of victims having the freedom to decide whether to reveal their identities as part of their healing and pursuit of justice.
Previously, publication bans could be enforced without victims’ consent, potentially leading to charges if violated. Now, judges are required to seek victims’ input on publication bans, and prosecutors must guide them on lifting bans, enabling survivors to share their stories without legal constraints.
Favro, having assisted Baker in understanding her options and supporting her decision to waive the publication ban, stressed the importance of empowering survivors to make their own choices. Together with Baker and Kristi Lee, host of the podcast “Canadian True Crime,” they established Beyond the Verdict to advocate for sexual assault survivors and promote justice system awareness.
Despite progress, Andrews, Favro, and other advocates are pushing for stronger laws to safeguard victims better. Canada’s victims of crime advocate, Benjamin Roebuck, released a report this week highlighting systemic failures in supporting survivors of sexual violence, with 43 recommendations to address these issues.
Andrews urged lawmakers to consider Roebuck’s recommendations seriously, emphasizing the need for bipartisan efforts to address shortcomings in the legal framework concerning publication bans and survivor support.