Co-Founders
Beyond The Verdict is a small Canadian grassroots advocacy group co-founded by survivors Kelly Favro and Jessica Baker (under publication ban) with support from podcaster Kristi Lee of Canadian True Crime. Bios below.
We’re not legal experts and we can’t speak for every survivor—but we speak from lived experience journeying through a justice system that too often puts the sexual assaultcomplainant on trial alongside the accused. We know the personal impact of outdated myths, abusive tactics and dehumanizing narratives, and we want to amplify perspectives that many are too afraid or too exhausted to share.
Our solidarity sends a clear message to other survivors: We see you, we believe you, and you are not alone. What we do →
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Kelly Favro
CO-FOUNDER
SurvivorBRITISH COLUMBIA
As a survivor of sexual violence and a sexual assault trial, Kelly’s experiences led her to start advocating for publication ban reforms.
After discovering a publication ban had been put on her identity without her knowledge or consent, Kelly became the first survivor in B.C. history to self-represent in the BC Supreme court and successfully have the ban lifted.
Kelly’s experience led her to co-found My Voice, My Choice, a grassroots organization that successfully lobbied the government and helped re-write Canada’s publication ban laws in 2023 to better support victims and survivors in navigating the justice system.
Kelly continues to work alongside other survivors and advocates to push for meaningful, trauma-informed legal reform.
More about Kelly:No longer silent, more victims of sexual violence fight publication bans imposed in their names, Globe and Mail
Victoria sexual assault survivor achieves rare overturning of publication ban, Abbey News
Revamped Canadian law gives voice to sexual assault victims, Times Colonist
LISTEN: Kelly Favro’s Story
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Jessica Baker
CO-FOUNDER
SurvivorONTARIO
Jessica knows what it’s like to be the victim-complainant in a high-profile sexual assault trial.
She is the “Ottawa woman” — also known as J.B. — who testified against Jacob Hoggard - former lead singer of the band Hedley in 2022. It was the country’s first #metoo trial.Jessica endured a brutal cross-examination that made national headlines. Although Hoggard was found guilty in relation to her charges, Jessica describes the trial as one of the most traumatizing experiences of her life - worse than the assault itself.
Jessica is on a mission to challenge a legal culture that rewards cruelty as “aggressive legal strategy” while silencing the very real harm it causes to those who come forward.
Image credit: Alexandra Newbould / CP
More about Jessica:
“When aggressive tactics are praised as legal strategy, it’s survivors like me who pay the price”, by Jessica Baker, Globe and Mail, July 2025
'I said stop': Ottawa woman accuses Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard of rape, CBCHedley frontman Jacob Hoggard convicted of violent rape, The Guardian
LISTEN: The Trial of Jacob Hoggard
WATCH: Breaking Idol -
Kristi Lee
SUPPORTING CO-FOUNDER
Host and Producer, Canadian True CrimeONTARIO
Kristi is the creator of Canadian True Crime, a passion project that evolved into Canada’s top independent podcast. The podcast is known for shining a light on injustice through careful research and compassionate storytelling.
While not a survivor herself, Kristi’s work has brought her into close collaboration with those who are — including Kelly and Jessica. Through helping them share their stories, she’s realized the enormity of the struggle survivors face in a justice system that wasn’t built for them.
Kristi is committed to using her platform to continue to support survivors, expose injustice and help shift the public conversation.
LISTEN TO CANADIAN TRUE CRIME SERIES:
Kelly Favro’s Story
The Trial of Jacob Hoggard (Jessica’s story)