I think there is a real difference between a brave and courageous man (Campbell, Fiennes, Senna etc etc)and a hero. A hero is someone who does something exceptional, beyond the call of normal duty, usually to save life or protect something.
It is clear in the military because they have awards, from the VC downwards, for the soldier who goes to exceptional lengths, beyond what is required of them, to do their job. It usually includes putting their life at risk when their military duty did not require it
Jill Saward was a hero. She rose above the terrible event that happening to her to use her experience to help other people, especially those who had experiences similar to hers. No one would have felt anything but admiration for her if she had just picked up the thread of normal work and family life and continued life quietly. By going public on this when people didn't and doing what she did for rape victims, she went above and beyond what was expected.