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CHILDSPLAY / Varsity X CUCFS
page 23
No.901 Friday 22nd April 2022 varsity.co.uk
The Independent Student Newspaper since 1947
Cambridge won’t rule out use of gagging clauses Lorna Kimmins Deputy News Editor Cambridge is refusing to sign a pledge banning the use of non-disclosure agreements against victims of sexual harassment, despite nearly 50 other UK universities doing so. The voluntary pledge, backed by Michelle Donelan, the Minister for Universities, and the campaign group Can’t Buy My Silence, was launched in January this year. Universities that are participating, commit to not using the agreements to “silence people” who come forward to raise complaints of sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying. While Bristol, Manchester and UCL have all signed the pledge, Cambridge and Oxford are yet to add their names. While a tweet from Can’t Buy My Silence on January 19 suggested that Cambridge supported the initiative, Varsity has learned that the University never signed the pledge. The University put out a statement later that day to “clarify its position” on the use of NDAs, saying: “NDAs should not be used to prevent individuals from reporting sexual misconduct or to cover up inappropriate behaviour and the University of Cambridge will never use them for these purposes. However, in exceptional circumstances a degree of confidentiality may be to the benefit of all parties.” Julie Macfarlane, co-founder of Can’t Buy My Silence with Zelda Perkins, has been negotiating with Cambridge over
the pledge. She said: “We have had a constructive conversation, but there is still reluctance to commit to not using NDAs at any stage of the misconduct complaints process and assuring Cambridge students (and staff ) that bringing a complaint will not lead to them being silenced. “Allowing a broad discretion – ‘wiggle room’ for ‘exceptions’ - leaves the same problems in place; discouragement from bringing forward a complaint about misconduct, or accepting a gag. More concerning, this discussion seems to be a low priority for Cambridge and not something the University is taking seriously enough.” Oxford’s similar resistance came under criticism following a recent article in The Times revealing that an Oxford college, Lady Margaret Hall, warned a student not to speak to the media after she reported that she had been raped by a fellow student. According to The Times, the College later announced that it would sign the anti-NDA pledge, but it has yet to appear on the list of signatories. Ben Dalitz, the Cambridge SU welfare and community officer, said they were “deeply concerned” by the University’s decision not to sign the pledge. “We have been attempting to raise the issue of NDAs with the University’s senior management since January when the pledge was launched. “The use of Non-Disclosure Agreements to cover up harassment and misconduct contributes to a culture of silence and erasure surrounding sexual
Catz student sends £6k of equipment to Ukraine Read about Danny Mykhaylyuk‘s story on page 3 ▶
Story continued on page 2 ▶
Inside ● Online learning was a disaster pg.13 ● The c-word across species pg. 16 ● The student fighting in Ukraine pg.18