Zelda Perkins; (audio) The Legal Battle Against Harvey Weinstein and NDAs

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

Co - Founder Can’t Buy My SIlence Zelda Perkins was the first woman to break an NDA in 2017, signed decades earlier, with Harvey Weinstein. She brought the systematic abuse of NDA’s to the attention of the British Government and international press, giving evidence at two parliamentary inquiries, which uncovered an epidemic of misuse, and pushed the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to take disciplinary action against the lawyer who created the NDA for Weinstein. Her actions have been inspiring others to come forward by her example. She has been campaigning for legislative and regulatory reform in the UK since 2017 and launched the Global campaign Can’t Buy My Silence cantbuymysilence.com with Canadian Co Founder, Professor Julie Macfarlane in September 2021. They are working with Government in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Canada and Australia to change legislation and regulation around the misuse of NDA’s. They have had legislative success in the UK, Ireland and Canada with the first laws of their kind banning NDAs being passed in all three countries, however there is still a long way to go. Zelda was named a Person of the Year by Time magazine in 2018, by the Guardian in 2020 and in 2023 awarded for her Outstanding Contribution to Gender Equality by UN Women UK. Her character was portrayed by Samantha Morton in the Universal Pictures feature “She Said” documenting her part in the downfall of Weinstein.

keywords

Zelda Perkins, Harvey Weinstein, NDAs, workplace harassment, power dynamics, legal challenges, justice, settlements, advocacy, gender equality, cultural change, power dynamics, non-disclosure agreements, emotional toll, moral injury, advocacy, self-care, trauma, accountability, legislation

summary

In this conversation David and Naomi speak with Zelda Perkins, a prominent figure in the fight against the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) following her experience with Harvey Weinstein. Zelda shares her journey from working at Miramax Films to co-founding the organization Can't Buy My Silence, highlighting the systemic issues of power dynamics, the challenges of seeking justice, and the emotional toll of legal negotiations. The conversation delves into the broader implications of these issues in various workplaces and the ongoing advocacy for legislative change to protect victims. In this conversation they discuss the cultural changes needed to address power dynamics, particularly in relation to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and their emotional toll on individuals. They emphasize the importance of accountability and the need for a shift in societal attitudes towards power and abuse. The discussion also highlights the concept of moral injury, the challenges faced by those under NDAs, and the ongoing campaign to reform the use of these agreements.

takeaways

• Zelda Perkins broke her NDA with Harvey Weinstein, sparking a movement against NDA misuse.
• The legal system often fails victims of harassment and abuse.
• Power dynamics in the workplace can lead to exploitation, especially for women.
• Money in settlements can complicate the pursuit of justice.
• The emotional toll of legal negotiations can be profound and disorienting.
• Victims often feel responsible for the actions of their abusers.
• The culture of silence around abuse needs to be challenged.
• Advocacy for legislative change is crucial to protect victims.
• The experience of being treated as 'girls' highlights the gender dynamics in legal settings.
• Zelda's journey emphasizes the importance of resilience and personal growth in the face of adversity. Cultural change is essential to address power dynamics.
• The law must evolve to protect individuals from abuse.
• NDAs can serve legitimate purposes but are often misused.
• The emotional toll of NDAs can be profound and lasting.
• Moral injury is a significant consequence of being silenced.
• Fear of legal repercussions can prevent individuals from speaking out.
• Truth is a powerful tool against oppression.
• Victims should have control over confidentiality agreements.
• Advocacy requires self-care and boundaries.
• Public awareness is crucial for cultural change.