University of Cambridge pledges not to use NDAs to silence sexual assault claims

CN: mentions of sexual violence

The University of Cambridge has pledged not to use Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) “to prevent individuals from reporting sexual misconduct” or “to cover up inappropriate behaviour.”

Michelle Donelan MP, Minister for Higher Education, launched a call for action alongside campaign group Can’t Buy My Silence asking University Vice-Chancellors to sign the following pledge:

“Backed by the Minister for Higher and Further Education, former Equalities Select Committee Chair Maria Miller MP and campaign group #CantBuyMySilence, we [our vice-chancellor and higher education provider] commit to not using Non-Disclosure Agreements to silence people who come forward to raise complaints of sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying.”

The University of Cambridge was one of the first six Universities to sign the pledge promising not to use the legal confidentiality agreement, alongside Exeter, Buckinghamshire New, Goldsmiths, Keele and UCL.

https://twitter.com/cbmsilence/status/1483914978893733889

The University issued the following statement in response to the pledge:

Most Read

I went on a night out with Bonnie Blue – it was uncomfortable and she’s dead behind the eyes

Bonnie Blue’s video birthday messages to 16-year-olds are the final nail in the coffin

Monster’s lead star explains why Aileen Wuornos was clumsily shoved into Lizzie Borden show

“NDAs should not be used to prevent individuals from reporting sexual misconduct or to cover up inappropriate behaviour and the University of Cambridge will never use them for these purposes. However, in exceptional circumstances, a degree of confidentiality may be to the benefit of all parties.”

The Minister for Higher Education, Michelle Donelan MP, backed the call for pledges, saying NDAs “silence victims” and “support a culture where sexual assault and violence can hide.”

NDAs silence victims, protect abusers & support a culture where sexual assault and violence can hide. That's why today I've launched a campaign for every university to sign a pledge to end the use of NDAs when handling complaints of sexual misconduct, bullying, and harassment. https://t.co/VpDPqRi4SA

— Rt Hon Michelle Donelan (@michelledonelan) January 18, 2022

The Department of Education launched this campaign in light of revelations that nearly a third of UK universities have used NDAs in the resolution of student grievances since 2016. A BBC investigation in February 2020 found that in total, over 300 NDAs were used by universities to resolve student complaints between 2016 and 2020.

A list of Universities that have signed the pledge will be visible on the Can’t Buy My Silence website, along with letter templates for writing to your Vice-Chancellor, asking them to sign the pledge. 

Feature image credits: @cbmsilence on Twitter