Speak Out: Ending Gender-Based Violence

A community consultation project by CLAS to hear from people at risk of gender-based violence (GBV) and those who may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). We strive for a safer future, where we are all supported to speak out on GBV.

Anonymous Survey

If you are willing to share your experiences related to GBV or NDAs . You can be entered to win one of 5 $50 gift cards.

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What’s the Issue?

The #MeToo movement showed that gender-based violence (GBV) is rampant. Countless people came forward to share their experiences – but the problem remains. It’s too common to experience GBV (e.g. sexual harassment, discrimination, and assault) at work or in organizations. Gender-based violence is rooted in sexism, racism, homophobia, and colonialism. It mostly affects women and girls as well as Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people. Indigenous women and girls are particularly targeted by GBV. Racialized women, young women, women with disabilities, women in rural communities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ people are also vulnerable (West Coast LEAF, Canadian Women’s Foundation).
People who report GBV are often retraumatized by workplace investigations or retaliation. They may be blamed or doubted. Organizations often lack policies that take the experiences of diverse people into account. Even policies that are meant to be neutral may cause further harm.
Many organizations and employers pressure complainants into signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). This can occur during the complaint process or in settlement negotiations. NDAs force complainants to stay silent about their experiences. This is often mentally damaging and allows abusers to escape consequences. Women are more likely than men to be bound by an NDA. Data suggests that racialized women in North America are more likely to be subject to an NDA (Speak Out Revolution).
We need to change the way organizations respond to GBV. Let’s bring that change!

What Will We Do?

Through Speak Out: Ending Gender-Based Violence, CLAS is engaging with communities to develop recommendations for law and policy reform to support people in reporting GBV and to regulate NDAs. Recommendations will be informed by community, culturally sensitive, and provide for the needs of people most at risk of GBV. We seek to empower communities to speak out and to ensure their safety.

Speak Out: Ending Gender-Based Violence will:

Raise awareness about the harm caused by GBV and the misuse of NDAs.
Consult with communities to learn about their experiences and unique needs to respond to GBV and demands to sign NDAs.
Develop law and policy reform recommendations based on community input.
Strengthen the advocacy skills of communities to speak out and promote change.

Have Your Voice Heard

We want to hear your experiences! YOUR input will inform our recommendations. Our goal is to reflect real experiences and diverse communities.
We recognize that women and people of diverse backgrounds are most affected by GBV. We will listen with respect and sensitivity. We will keep your identity confidential.
If any of the following applies to you, consider connecting with us to share your story:
- You have experienced GBV;
- You are at risk of GBV (at work or elsewhere);
- You have ever reported GBV; or
- You have signed or been asked to sign an NDA due to GBV.
If you are concerned that speaking with us could be a breach of your NDA, please contact us for advice (see more information here).
We want to support future generations in reporting GBV. Your story will make a difference.

Take our anonymous survey here

Get Involved

As a community organization, you can:

Join our network to help connect us with the communities you work with.
Attend one of our free legal rights workshops (occurring in 2025) or request an information session for your organization.
Spread the word and share our anonymous survey in your networks/socials

We are also looking for Community Researchers and offer an honorarium for this role. A description of the role and information on how to apply can be found here.

If you want to learn more about GBV and NDAs, we offer free education sessions on:

The harm of GBV and NDAs.
What you can do if faced with GBV in an organization.
How to recognize an NDA and options for responding.
How to advocate for policy change around GBV and NDAs.

Sessions are offered primarily through videoconferencing.

↓ Updates on project activities

More to come…

FAQs

What is gender-based violence?

“Gender-based violence describes any form of abuse, assault, or harassment that is based on gendered power differences. It is violence inflicted upon someone because of their gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender” (West Coast LEAF).

GBV is violence towards someone due to their:

Gender (roles and behaviours associated with men, women, or gender-diverse people);
Gender expression (the ways people outwardly express their gender);
Gender identity (someone’s internal sense of being a man, woman, neither, or both).
For more detailed descriptions and visualizations of these terms, see:
- Components of Human Identity by Egale Canada
- The Genderbread Person by itspronouncedmetrosexual.com

Gender-based violence is rooted in sexism, racism, homophobia, and colonialism. It mostly affects women and girls as well as Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people. Indigenous women and girls are particularly targeted by GBV. Racialized women, young women, women with disabilities, women in rural communities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ people are also vulnerable.

Gender-based violence sometimes happens alongside other forms of harassment and discrimination, such as racism.

GBV includes physical violence, but also:

Threats and intimidation;
Humiliation;
Online harassment/stalking;
Sexual, psychological, or financial harm; and more.

Some examples of gender-based violence that are relevant for this project are:

Sexual harassment;
Workplace bullying based on gender;
Discrimination based on gender;
Sexual assault.

Sources: West Coast LEAF, Canadian Women’s Foundation.

Why are NDAs harmful, and what do they have to do with gender-based violence?

NDAs are legal documents that restrict you from sharing information with others. They are often signed as part of a settlement or during a workplace investigation. NDAs are misused in many workplaces, but also by other types of organizations. They are used by sports teams, political parties, and other associations. They seek to protect their reputation through the NDA.
NDAs protect the abuser by silencing the complainant – usually for life. 95% of people who sign NDAs report negative mental health consequences (Speak Out Revolution).
People are often pressured to sign NDAs under stressful time constraints. They may not understand they can refuse or negotiate something different. Know your rights before you sign. Get legal advice and see our tip sheet.
Women are more likely than men to be asked to sign an NDA. This makes NDAs a gendered issue. Also, data suggests that racialized women in North America are disproportionately affected. In Canada and the USA, racialized women report signing NDAs at higher rates than white women (Speak Out Revolution).
See our Quick Facts Document for more information on the problem with NDAs.
See our campaign page for updates in the global campaign for NDA reform.

Will you keep my information confidential?

You might be hesitant to talk to us if you:
- Are experiencing GBV in an organization;
- Are in an investigation; or
- Are being asked to sign an NDA.
We will keep your story confidential. You don’t need to share more detail than what you are comfortable with. We will never publish or share any identifying information. We are here to listen and believe you.

I already signed an NDA, can I speak to you?

Our online survey is anonymous and contains general and specific questions. You are able to skip questions that you may have concerns about.
You may have already signed an NDA. If you are concerned about possibly breaching it by sharing your story with us, we can help. Our lawyers can review your NDA to provide advice to you about this.
Contact us if you if have questions or concerns or would like to speak to a lawyer.

What if I need legal advice?

If you experienced sexual assault you may access free, confidential legal advice. See Stand Informed Legal Advice for more information.
If you are seeking legal advice related to signing an NDA please contact us. We can see if we are able to assist you or provide you with referrals.

What will the policy recommendations look like?

Based on what we hear from communities, the policies might address:
- Creating a safer organization for all people;
- What to do if you encounter GBV in an organization;
- How to support someone who reports GBV, understanding people’s different needs;
- How to prevent the misuse of NDAs by an organization;
- Whether NDAs should be banned or regulated;
- What forms of NDA regulation would ensure safety and prevent further trauma to complainants.
Our aim is that the recommendations can be:
- Used for advocacy to change how organizations respond to GBV;
- Used to support law reform to regulate NDAs; and
- Developed into tools to support individuals in reporting GBV and in regulating NDAs.

What types of organizations will be able to use the policy recommendations?

The policy recommendations could be used in workplaces and other organizations. For example:
- Community groups;
- Activity/Recreational clubs;
- Sports teams;
- Places of worship;
- Schools, etc.
The policy recommendations on NDAs can also be shared with government to advocate for regulating of NDAs.