End the misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements to silence victims of abuse

JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN – CAN’T BUY MY SILENCE – TO END THE MISUSE OF NDAS.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) were originally designed to protect trade secrets, but have become the default solution for organisations, corporations, individuals and public bodies to settle cases of sexual misconduct, racism, pregnancy discrimination and other human rights violations, preventing victims from speaking out and enabling harmful behaviour to continue.

OUR CO-FOUNDERS – ZELDA PERKINS & DR. JULIE MACFARLANE

Can’t Buy My Silence was founded in 2021 by Weinstein whistleblower Zelda Perkins and law professor Dr. Julie Macfarlane, to stop the expanding misuse of NDAs by demanding new legislation and regulation that stops “gag orders” from being used unethically to settle these cases. Since then, CBMS has made significant progress internationally driving change:

CBMS UK PROGRESS

✅ Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act (2023) - CBMS partnered with the Department for Education to translate their voluntary Pledge into legislative change, which bans English universities and colleges from using NDAs to cover up cases of sexual misconduct, harassment, and bullying for students, staff and visiting speakers. This was the first law of its kind in England.

✅ Victims and Prisoners Act (2024) – Has now been amended, clarifying that no confidentiality agreement can prevent a victim of crime from speaking to law enforcement; legal, regulatory or therapeutic advice services or a family member.

✅ Worker Protection Act (2024) – An amendment to the Equality Act, which now places a positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace including from 3rd parties, including a 25% increase in tribunal awards if companies have not complied.

✅ Employment Equality Act (Amendment) (Ireland, 2024) – The first of its kind at a national level, the amendment restricts the use of NDA's that prevent victims of abuse, harassment and discrimination in the workplace from speaking out about their experiences.

✅ Legal Sector Reforms - We have also driven broad legal sector reform, prompting three warning notices and a thematic review on the use of NDAs by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the Legal Services Board to review and consider a new statutory statement of policy on the use of NDAs, and both the Law Society and the Bar Council, to publicly call for legislative change.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

   1. The UK Government must amend the Employment Rights Bill to protect ALL workers from the misuse of NDAs This Bill is currently on the table and being debated. The opportunity to ensure an amendment banning the misuse of NDAs is ripe and by writing to your MP you can add pressure and momentum to this. If this amendment goes through our work is nearly done

2. Your Financial support will help us:

• Fund our dedicated campaign team to lobby politicians, regulators, and businesses. 
• Expand public awareness through media, talks and social media campaigns.
• Fund and maintain our testimonies and resources platform where victims can share their experiences anonymously and access help and resources. This data is essential as it is what drives real change.

3. Spread the word by signing our petition and donating via our Crowdfunder!

With your help, we can break the silence. Join us.  

Our work is being recognised, and we are grateful for the following awards, but we still need YOUR help!

🏆 UN Women UK – Outstanding Contributor to Gender Equality (2023)

🏆 Big Issue Changemaker Award (2024)

🏆 Woman of Influence Award (2024)

🏆 Whistleblower Champion Award (2024)