The practice of using NDAs at all stages of the complaints process is unnecessary and immoral. Victims deserve confidentiality, but they should not be permanently gagged from speaking about their experiences. Telling their story is often an important part of their healing and access to a just outcome. Victims of these crimes should also not be forced to agree to protect their offender in exchange for their privacy, a devastating price to pay for the brave act of coming forward. This practice only serves to put a further chill on reporting which we know is dramatically lower than other crimes.
Be the Peace Institute joined other advocates to write a letter in support of a recent private member’s bill (Bill 144) in the Nova Scotia legislature which would end the misuse of NDAs in sexual violence and harassment cases and the emotional toil of further silencing victims potentially deepening trauma and distrust of the systems meant to support them. The use of NDAs in these cases only protects the institutions involved or the perpetrators themselves who can then go on to harm others.
