Sydney blazes trail with ‘NDA’ motion

It is essential to change the culture in which non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are misused, if churches and church organisations are to safeguard against perpetrators of abuse, an NDA whistleblower has said.

The warning follows a resolution passed by the Sydney Synod in Australia discouraging the use of NDAs to silence victims. It is understood to be the first denomination or church network to take a public position on the use of NDAs in their churches.

The resolution ‘lamented and condemned NDAs’ where their use has been to cover up sin, silence victims, or avoid accountability’, and called to repentance anyone who has knowingly and intentionally used NDAs for such purposes.