#MeToo Takes Aim at Secret Settlements
Long before the hashtag #MeToo became part of the national vernacular, corporations commonly wielded an effective weapon to keep workplace sexual harassment…
September 20, 2018 at 05:52 PM
4 minute read
Long before the hashtag #MeToo became part of the national vernacular, corporations commonly wielded an effective weapon to keep workplace sexual harassment under wraps— the non-disclosure agreement. These NDA's are designed to protect high profile executives from embarrassing publicity surrounding an accusation of sexual misconduct, while providing victims compensation for their suffering. But there's a catch. After signing the deal, the accusers are prohibited from telling their story publicly or risk harsh penalties.
Over the past year, an avalanche of #MeToo complaints surfaced which involved powerful men accused of sexual harassment, who kept their jobs and continued harassing female employees. Secret settlements in sex offense cases are a major reason why predators—whether it's Bill O'Reilly, Harvey Weinstein or even Bill Cosby—were able to hide sexual harassment or assault for so many years.
This practice of keeping circumstances secret to protect the harassers instead of the victims has run its course. Victims' advocates and lawmakers are now working together to change the law which will allow victims to talk about what happened to them while still permitting settlement amounts to remain confidential.
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