Victims and direct witnesses of crime who sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will no longer be gagged from speaking out under new plans (Monday 20 October)
Victims and direct witnesses of crime who sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will no longer be gagged from speaking out, under new plans announced today (Monday 20 October).
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An amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill will ensure NDAs can no longer legally be used to silence victims or conceal criminal behaviour.
The change will guarantee victims and direct witnesses of crime - whether inside or outside the workplace - can share their experiences with anyone, for any purpose, including family, friends, employers and journalists, without fear of legal repercussions.
The amendment will help all victims of crime, and is part of the Plan for Change to halve violence against women and girls and restore faith in the justice system.
Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Alex Davies-Jones said:
The move builds on existing protections in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which clarify that NDAs cannot stop victims from reporting crimes to the police and ensure that NDAs cannot stop victims from accessing legal advice and other support, including from victim support services.
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The change aligns with reforms in the Employment Rights Bill, which will void NDAs designed to silence workers about work-related harassment or discrimination.
Zelda Perkins - Founder, Can’t Buy My Silence UK, said:
More widely, the Victims and Courts Bill seeks to improve victims’ experience of the criminal justice system by giving them confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender’s release, and strengthening the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner to better hold the justice system to account.
ENDS
Further Information: