Universities pay out to cover up sexual misconduct

Universities are using gagging clauses and six figure payouts to cover up serial sexual misconduct by academics, an astrophysicist who accused her boss of harassment has told MPs in the United Kingdom, writes Hayley Dixon for The Telegraph.

Dr Emma Chapman, a member of the 1752 Group which campaigns against sexual misconduct in higher education, said that non-disclosure agreements are "routinely" used to cover up allegations of improper sexual behaviour and are even insisted on when students or academics ask for an extension for their research or for help with costs for medical treatment as a result of the trauma. Her comments were echoed by legal experts who said that in some instances the accused is told they “can leave quietly” and the allegations suppressed with a non-disclosure agreement, therefore allowing repeat offenders to move from job to job without the risks being known.

They were giving evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee, which is holding an inquiry into the use of non-disclosure agreements in the wake of the Telegraph’s revelations about Sir Philip Green’s use of gagging clauses to silence accusations of sexual and racial harassment by staff.
Full report on The Telegraph site