NEWS RELEASE
Community Legal Assistance Society calls on government to act now to protect workers from gender-based violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2026
Vancouver, B.C. – Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) has released a new report on gender-based violence (GBV) in the workplace and the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Summary:
- Gender-based violence including sexual harassment in workplaces is a serious and ongoing problem in BC – and it hurts both workers and employers.
- The use of NDAs in cases of sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence in the workplace prevents proper reporting and can contribute to further harm to the individual.
- CLAS is calling on government to bring forward legislation to restrict and regulate the use of NDAs in workplace incidents involving gender-based violence including sexual harassment.
Our Speak Out project demonstrates significant harms stemming from gender-based violence in workplaces in British Columbia, exacerbated by the widespread use of NDAs. The report finds these incidents and the use of NDAs around them present very serious barriers to women and gender diverse people entering workplaces or leadership roles.
NDAs are a tool used by employers in the settlement of these cases that can cause further harm to people who experience sexual harassment, discrimination or violence and prevent proper reporting by silencing them. CLAS is calling for a swift commitment from the provincial government to introduce legislation to restrict the use of NDAs in situations involving sexual harassment and other forms of GBV.
Jacqui Mendes, Executive Director: “People should be able to work in safe workplaces without fear of sexual harassment and gender-based violence. The unrestricted use of NDAs in workplace settlements has been shown to cause further harm by silencing people who experience sexual harassment and preventing the reporting and tracking of the problem. We call on government to act now – and commit to safe workplaces for all British Columbians.”
Jennifer Khor, CLAS’s Supervising Lawyer for the Speak Out Project: “We’ve heard through our research and from clients who experience sexual harassment at work through our SHARP Workplaces legal clinic that being silenced by an NDA is harmful to their mental health, their relationships, and negatively impact their ability to secure new employment or address workplace concerns that may be triggered by their past trauma. Restricting the use of NDAs ensures people are able to continue their healing journey and is an important step to ensure workplaces are safer for everyone.”
Esther Hwang, who shared her story of being silenced by an NDA is advocating for change: “It’s time to end institutional silencing and protect the right of every survivor to speak out.”
Other recommendations by CLAS include a review of government policies regarding GBV in the workplace and remedies available for those who experience GBV in the workplace, mandatory reporting of incidents of GBV to joint health and safety committees and representatives, along with investments in education and training for the public and employers around the use and misuse of NDAs.
LINK TO SPEAK OUT REPORT: https://clasbc.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gender-based-violence-in-the-workplace-and-the-misuse-of-ndas-final-report.pdf
Learn more about CLAS’s advocacy here:
Speak Out Ending Gender-based Violence Project:
https://clasbc.net/get-legal-help/stand-informed-legal-advice-services/speak-out/
SHARP Workplaces: free legal advice service for anyone in B.C. experiencing workplace sexual harassment: https://clasbc.net/sharpworkplaces
Contact us:
Phone: 604-673-3143 or toll-free 1-888-685-6222
Email: [email protected]
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About CLAS
The Community Legal Assistance Society is a non-profit organization providing free legal assistance, information and education to thousands of people in B.C. annually and advancing the law in support of those who face discrimination or disadvantage. More info: https://clasbc.net/
Quick Facts and Resources
- Workers’ experiences of inappropriate sexualized behaviours, sexual assault and gender-based discrimination in the Canadian provinces, 2020 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2021001/article/00015-eng.htm
- Studies from Statistics Canada and the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (CREVAWC) show that women and 2SLGBT+ workers—especially Indigenous and racialized workers—are disproportionately targeted by sexual harassment.
- From 2018 to 2022, acts of workplace violence in B.C. rose 25%, from 2,292 to 2,868 accepted claims, including 950 bullying and harassment complaints involving sexual harassment, according to WorkSafeBC.
Data from report
- 100% of respondents agreed that NDAs should not be allowed if the party offering the NDA pressured, coerced, or misled the complainant to sign.
- 88% of respondents say NDAs should not be allowed in any situation of GBV, harassment, or discrimination.
- 80% agreed NDAs should only be allowed if the complainant gets meaningful legal advice including on alternatives to an NDA.