We the undersigned, stand together in calling for the end of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in United States higher education that silence people who come forward to raise complaints of sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying.

NDAs are legal contracts used to prevent individuals from disclosing sensitive information, such as trade secrets. However, they have been misused within higher education institutions across the United States (and by corporations and religious institutions) as tools for silencing survivors of abuse, harassment or bullying. This not only harms those who sign NDAs, often while being intimidated and under duress, but also harms institutions by perpetuating unsafe educational environments and institutional deception. 

Help us end this harmful practice.

We are not alone: 

The American Bar Association adopted a resolution on August 5, 2024 "calling for an end to nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements in employment contracts that 'limit an employee’s ability to disclose information underlying claims of workplace harassment, discrimination or statutory workplace rights violations.'"'

Lift Our Voices, the groundbreaking organization founded by Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, whose Speak Out Act passed in 2022 with rare bipartisam support, recently conducted extensive research with Stanford University's The Clayman Institute. The study finds that, "NDAs have more than just a silencing effect on survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination; NDAs actually shape survivors’ career opportunities, financial situations, and emotional well-being."

In Canada and the UK, Can't Buy My Silence, the advocacy organizaqtion founded by Julie Macfarlane and Zelda Perkins, is making impressive strides to end the misuse of NDAs, and through its advocacy and data collection we can share some powerful facts:

—95% of those who sign NDAs report mental health consequences;

—Almost 6 times as many women report signing NDAs compared to men, likely explained by the preponderance of sexual harassment complaints brought by women which end in NDAs;

—Very worryingly, 32% of respondents to a survey in the UK reported that they did not file a formal complaint, because they anticipated being asked to sign an NDA, and did not want to. This is chilling.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has expressed valid concerns, noting that NDAs can promote "an atmosphere of silence and fear" (AAUP Report May 2019). This is the opposite of what a university should be, a place for learning, research and service that prepares graduates to thoughtfully contribute to society and allows faculty and students to speak about circumstances and events that impact both the campus community and their research.

Add your voice, share with others, and help raise awareness to end this harmful practice.

NDAFreeCampus is a new campaign to end the misuse of non-disclosure agreements in U.S. higher education, and build public awareness around the damage to individuals and institutional integrity when NDAs are used to silence survivors of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, workplace harassment and other forms of bullying. 

We are endorsed by the American Society of Engineering Education, Lift Our Voices Co-Founders Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, and Can't Buy My Silence Co-Founder Julie Macfarlane. Read about our endorsements here. 

The first campaign of its kind in the US, NDAFreeCampus is calling upon students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, educational leaders, and the public to insist on reform in the use of NDAs within higher education. Let's ensure NDAs serve their intended purpose—protecting sensitive information without infringing upon rights or enabling harm, especially in cases of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, workplace misconduct, and other forms of bullying.

Join us today. Sign this petition if you believe it's time to stop the misuse of non-disclosure agreements in U.S. higher education. Together, we can a safer, more just educational landscape.