TORONTO — For the first time since former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard was convicted of sexually assaulting her, the survivor has chosen to reveal her identity. Jessica Baker, previously known in court proceedings only as J.B. or the 'Ottawa woman,' is speaking publicly about the 2016 assault that took place in a Toronto hotel room, as detailed in a new CBC documentary titled Breaking Idol.
Baker's decision to lift the publication ban on her identity comes years after Hoggard was found guilty in June 2022 of sexual assault causing bodily harm. He was sentenced to five years in prison and is currently serving that term following a failed appeal. The assault occurred in June 2016, when Baker, then in her early 20s, met Hoggard after a Hedley concert in Ottawa. According to her testimony, what began as a consensual encounter escalated into a violent rape as she repeatedly said no and cried.
In the documentary, Baker describes the profound impact the assault has had on her life. 'A part of me died that day that I will never get back,' she said during her 2022 sentencing hearing. She added, 'My life as I knew it was stolen from me and shattered beyond recognition. The assault took away my worth, my privacy, my body, my confidence and my voice.'
The trial process itself compounded her trauma, Baker explained. 'It's the exact same feeling, amplified in front of a room full of strangers and [Hoggard] and his wife,' she said in Breaking Idol. One particularly harrowing moment came when she listened to a recording of a phone call with Hoggard just days after the assault. 'That was the hardest moment of my … entire life,' Baker recounted. 'Worse than the assault, worse than anything.'
Hoggard, who first gained fame as a contestant on Canadian Idol in 2004, rose to stardom with Hedley, a pop-rock band that amassed a huge following among teenage fans across Canada. The band's music dominated airwaves in the mid-2000s and 2010s, but their success unraveled in 2018 amid the #MeToo movement. Online accusations of misconduct by Hoggard led to the band being dropped by their management and many radio stations halting play of their songs.
Hoggard faced multiple charges related to sexual assault allegations from three women. In the 2022 trial, he was accused of assaulting Baker and an anonymous teenager from Vancouver. The jury convicted him only on the charge involving Baker, acquitting him on the teenager's case. Separately, in a trial that concluded in October 2024, Hoggard was found not guilty of another sexual assault allegation stemming from an incident in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, also in June 2016. He pleaded not guilty in all cases.
During the trial, Baker's identity was protected by a publication ban, a legal measure designed to shield sexual assault complainants from public scrutiny. Such bans prevent media from publishing names or identifying details, aiming to encourage reporting by offering anonymity. However, experts note that while these protections can safeguard survivors from harassment—especially in high-profile cases involving celebrities—they also limit victims' ability to share their stories on their own terms.
Daphne Gilbert, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who specializes in sexual assault law, closely followed the Hoggard case. She highlighted the immense challenges survivors face in the criminal justice system. 'We, as a criminal justice system, are relying on complainants to come forward to tell their story to hold, you know, a rapist to justice,' Gilbert said. 'And it's not an easy ask. It's actually [a] pretty torturous thing to have to go through a cross-examination from a top-notch lawyer.'
Gilbert praised Baker's decision to go public as 'extremely brave.' She hopes it will spotlight the need for reforms in how complainants are treated. 'The system right now needs to be fixed for complainants. And in particular, you know, addressing some of the deficiencies of cross examination,' Gilbert said. She advocated for 'testimonial limits' that would curb repetitive questioning by defense lawyers and reduce the time survivors spend on the stand, potentially making the process less retraumatizing.
Farrah Khan, CEO of Possibility Seeds, a consultancy focused on gender equity and supporting survivors of sexual violence, offered a nuanced view on publication bans. On one hand, they provide 'a sense of anonymity' that blocks painful details from reaching family, employers, or acquaintances, particularly when media attention is intense due to the accused's fame. 'They block family members, employers, acquaintances or others in the complainant's life from learning about painful details, and are meant to prevent harassment or scrutiny,' Khan explained.
Yet, Khan pointed out potential downsides. Bans can 'harm survivors by putting restrictions on their ability to tell their own stories,' she said. 'So many times, survivors in this process … don't have a voice, are robbed of their ability to share their story in a way that feels safe for them, to talk about their experience openly with friends and family.' For Baker, lifting the ban allows her to reclaim narrative control. As Khan put it, 'Justice is not just the court system, it is also being able to tell your story.'
Baker's public disclosure arrives at a time when discussions about celebrity accountability and survivor rights continue to evolve in the wake of #MeToo. Hedley's disbandment in 2018 marked the end of an era for the band, but the fallout extended to broader conversations about power dynamics in the music industry. Hoggard's conviction was seen by some as a milestone in holding high-profile figures accountable, though his acquittals in other cases underscore the complexities of proving sexual assault allegations in court.
In Breaking Idol, Baker expresses a desire for simple recognition amid the ordeal. 'Now, I just want people to acknowledge that I’m a real person with feelings,' she said. Her story sheds light on the long-lasting effects of trauma and the courage required to speak out, even years later.
As Baker moves forward, advocates like Gilbert and Khan emphasize the ongoing need for systemic changes. Proposals for limiting cross-examinations and refining publication ban policies could help balance protection with empowerment for future survivors. Meanwhile, Hoggard remains incarcerated, with no further appeals reported in his case.
Support resources are available for those affected by sexual assault. The Government of Canada offers access to crisis lines and local services through its website, while the Ending Violence Association of Canada maintains a database of support options. In emergencies, individuals are urged to call 911.
Lisa Johnson is a reporter for The Appleton Times, covering arts and justice issues. She can be reached at lisa.johnson@appletontimes.com.