Activist Katie Brennan and Councilmember James Solomon Introduce Resolution In Support of the SPEAK OUT ACT

This act under consideration by Congress will give assault victims the right to speak out against workplace assault, even if they have signed mandatory Non-Disclosure Agreements

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Local activist Katie Brennan, with the support of Councilmember James Solomon, has brought forward a resolution to the City Council to endorse the SPEAK OUT Act (H.R. 8227) which would prevent pre-dispute Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) from applying to victims of sexual assault. Many people who have signed NDAs are prohibited from speaking about or reporting workplace violence and harassment without serious financial and legal penalties. The SPEAK OUT Act is currently before both Houses of Congress.

“We are breaking the culture of silence,” said Katie Brennan. “For too long, mandatory NDAs have silenced survivors of sexual violence. Employers subject one in three employees to mandatory NDAs.  Then, when someone experiences sexual violence, they can’t talk about it. This protects perpetrators and companies and hurts everyone else. The SPEAK OUT Act will reverse this injustice, and that’s why we’re fighting for its passage.”

“While the #MeToo movement has seen a global movement of women speaking out against sexual violence and harrassment, too many people are still prevented from doing so,” said Councilmember James Solomon. “NDAs can too often be used to prevent people from speaking out about legitimate crimes under penalty of prosecution. This must change. I am honored to support Katie’s work to pass the SPEAK OUT Act and push for justice for survivors. I hope Congress acts quickly to pass this bill.”

James Solomon represents downtown Jersey City as the Ward E Councilperson. He’s focused on building a just city with affordable housing and improved mass transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure. He is also an adjunct professor of political science at Saint Peter’s University, New Jersey City University, and Hudson County Community College.

Katie Brennan is the Executive Director of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office of Storm Recovery. Previously, she served as a Senior Advisor on Housing for the Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development, and as the Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. After her own sexual assault and navigation through the justice system, she publicly called for sexual harassment reform in the Wall Street Journal, which led to local, statewide and federal legislative hearings, the enactment of dozens of legal reforms, and a $600,000 settlement donated to The Waterfront Project to provide services to low-income survivors in Hudson County. Ms. Brennan serves on the board of The Waterfront Project, NOW NJ, and the New Leaders Council, and is a resident of Jersey City.