Acadia University signs the #CantBuyMySilence pledge, a campaign that urges all universities to end the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) to prevent students and staff from speaking out in cases of sexual harassment, bullying, and other forms of misconduct.

Today, the University of King’s College also announced that it has signed the pledge, making Acadia and King’s the first signatory institutions in Nova Scotia.

“This is an important pledge we’re proud to sign”, says Dr. Jeff Hennessy, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “The misuse of NDAs can lead to significant harm. It’s important that victims not only recognize the support readily available but also feel empowered to openly share their experiences”.

Allison Smith, Acadia’s on-campus Sexualized Violence Response and Education Coordinator, provides oversight of Acadia’s Sexualized Violence Policy and notes “our decision to sign the pledge reflects our commitment to fostering safer spaces for survivors and all members of our community. The freedom to share one’s story can be vital to a person’s healing process”.

About #CantBuyMySilence

Founded and led by British activist and former employee of Harvey Weinstein, Zelda Perkins, together with Professor Julie Macfarlane, a Canadian law professor and member of the Order of Canada, the campaign is pursuing legislative and regulatory change to make non-disclosure agreements “unenforceable for anything other than their original purpose – the prevention of sharing confidential business information (“intellectual property”) and trade secrets.”  Learn more at cantbuymysilence.com