Nottingham Trent has joined up with several other universities across the country to support a pledge aiming to ban the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of sexual harassment.
NTU was one of a number of universities invited to attend the launch of a pledge promising not to use NDAs in dealing with complaints of sexual misconduct, bullying, and other forms of harassment.
The pledge, backed by MPs and campaign groups, commits universities to not use legally-binding NDAs against students and staff who come forward to report abuse, amidst fears victims are being pressured into signing agreements that stop them from speaking out and protect the reputations of perpetrators.
A BBC News investigation in 2020 found nearly one-third of universities had used NDAs to resolve student complaints, involving over 300 individual NDAs – though the true figure is expected to be higher.
Professor Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor of NTU, said: “During my seven years at Nottingham Trent University, we have never used so called galling clauses to silence staff or students who are making complaints about sexual harassment.
“Every complaint is investigated thoroughly and action is taken against perpetrators where misconduct has taken place.
“I welcome this opportunity publicly to commit the university to continue to do the right thing in this area.
“I encourage any member of our community who may experience sexual harassment to contact our supportive complaints process to discuss how to take their concerns forward.”
The pledge has been supported by several universities after the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan, wrote to vice-chancellors in July 2021 to set out her stance on the use of NDAs.
Ms Donelan said: “Sexual harassment is horrendous and complainants should never be bought or bullied into silence simply to protect the reputation of their university.
“Such agreements make it harder for other victims to come forward and help hide perpetrators behind a cloak of anonymity.
“The use of Non-Disclosure Agreements to buy victims’ silence is a far cry from their proper purpose, for example, to protect trade secrets.
“I am determined to see this shabby practice stamped out on our campuses, which is why last year I wrote to vice-chancellors making my position clear.
“Several university leaders have signed a new moral contract to end the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements against students and staff, and I call on other vice-chancellors to do the right thing and follow their lead.”
Main Photo insets: Nottingham Trent University, Parliament UK