B.C. associations react to Jacob Hoggard’s sentencing

B.C. agencies that work with abused women are speaking out about what it takes to get a sexual assault allegation to trial, after Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been sentenced to five years behind bars for sexually assaulting an Ottawa woman.

Ninu Kang, executive director of the Ending Violence Association of BC, says it’s about time that offenders of sexual assault are held accountable.

“I don’t think that our legislation and our laws take these crimes serious enough,” she said.

Kang explains that power dynamics often play a crucial role in sexual assault cases.

“Often it’s individuals that are in positions of power. Whether that’s a little bit of power…or significant amounts such as in this case,” she said.

Kang notes that many victims are specifically chosen because of their perceived vulnerability.

“Those who they think will not say anything, those who they think are vulnerable,” she explained.

The 2016 sexual assault took place in a Toronto hotel room and the Ottawa woman told Hoggard’s sentencing hearing that what happened will haunt her for the rest of her life.

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The woman, who cannot be named due to a standard publication ban, said the sexual assault robbed her of her confidence, her dreams, and altered her life.

“I was never the same after that day,” she said. “A part of me died that day that I will never get back.”

Kang says victims often don’t come forward because they are afraid no one will believe them.

She explains that many victims are manipulated by their attackers into not seeking help.

Angela MacDougall with Battered Women’s Support Services says because of fear, may victims don’t bring their stories to the authorities, making sentencing a rare occurrence.

“The vast majority of victims don’t report to the police, don’t participate in the criminal legal system,” she said.

The Crown had sought a sentence of six to seven years for Hoggard – above the normal range for a sexual assault by someone with no criminal record. The prosecution argued Hoggard was a risk to the public.

Meanwhile, the defence had argued Hoggard should remain behind bars for three to four years. They pointed to a psychiatric report that said he was a low risk to reoffend and had a good chance of rehabilitation.

MacDougall says Hoggard’s sentencing is an indication that Canada’s justice system is moving in the right direction.

“We’ve got a long way to go, there’s been reams and reams of recommendations that have been tabled,” she said.

The 38-year-old Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was granted bail a few hours after the sentencing.

The judge said he is not a flight risk, not a danger to public safety, and has arguable grounds for an appeal.