Publication ban lifted in Brockville ‘sexsomnia’ case

A woman who was sexually assaulted at a house party in 2011 can now be publicly identified, after a judge in a Brockville court lifted a publication ban on her name.

Bekah D'Aoust had requested the publication ban be lifted. 

“For eight years, part of my identity has been taken away from me,” D'Aoust said in a video statement. “You've all known me as a victim, but today I'm more than that.”

Ryan Hartman, 38, has been convicted twice of sexually assaulting D'Aoust. He has claimed that he was asleep during the assault and that he was unaware of what he was doing.

Hartman has launched a “Jordan” appeal; arguing that his conviction should be tossed out because his right to a trial within a reasonable timeframe was violated.

D'Aoust says she wants her ordeal to end, but does not want Hartman to be set free.

“This needs to be over,” said D'Aoust. “It has gone on for far too long.”