‘Sex in the City’ confidentiality agreements which stop abuse being reported will be BANNED under plans
MINISTERS will stop the abuse of ‘Sex in the City’ confidentiality agreements that prevent crimes from being reported.
Plans have now been drawn up by the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to allow non-disclosure agreement signatories to disclose wrong-doing.
The pacts are being mis-used to cover-up abuse, sexual harassment and discrimination as perpetrators go unpunished.
But confidentiality deals won’t be legally enforced if they prevent victims from talking to cops about any wrong-doing they have suffered.
A Whitehall source said: “It’s reprehensible that victims of sexual harassment and abuse can be prevented from reporting their crimes or getting the support they need from counsellors because of sinister gagging orders.
“The government is taking strong action to make sure that crimes cannot be swept under the carpet and victims bullied into silence.”
Under the new law, the confidential issues will be allowed to be discussed with lawyers, counsellors and medical professionals without fear of repercussions.
Anyone reporting incidents will also be given help from the army of 1,000 independent advisers who will be on hand throughout any criminal probe.
The announcement follows the launch last month of the Victims’ Code which has been put on a statutory footing.
Police and prosecutors will have a duty to ensure victims know the services and support available to them.
The Commons’ Treasury Select Committee recently heard how the current practice leaves “victims silenced while perpetrators go unpunished”.
The MPs found there was inadequate whistleblowing procedures for staff who raise concerns about the workplace.
The NDAs came under huge scrutiny after ‘MeToo’ cases involving Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein.