Press Release

Washington, DC — The following is a statement from American Association for Justice President Tad Thomas on the passage of S. 4524, the SPEAK OUT Act, which limits the enforceability of certain non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses against sexual assault and sexual harassment survivors:

“AAJ is grateful to the members of the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary for their bipartisan acknowledgment that silencing sexual assault and harassment survivors through the use of non-disclosure (NDA) and non-disparagement clauses only perpetuates the cycle of sexual violence and harassment and should be limited. We are hopeful that this bill marks an important first step towards a world in which no survivor is ever silenced with an NDA, and we will continue to support efforts in Congress and at the state level to further protect and empower survivors. 

It is only with transparency that wrongdoers and their enablers will be held accountable, and AAJ will continue the effort to eliminate sexual abuse and harassment by shining a light on this egregious conduct, and empowering survivors with the opportunity to seek some measure of justice for what they’ve endured.”