US EditionVancouver orchestra won’t sue violinist who broke NDA to speak out about alleged rape
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will stop routine use of NDAs in sexual misconduct cases after backlash, with only complainant-requested confidentiality agreements permitted.
- On Jan. 7, 2026, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra said it will not pursue legal action against violinist Esther Hwang for publicly breaching a confidentiality agreement.
- In a Dec. 17 Globe and Mail article, Esther Hwang, violinist, alleged she was sexually assaulted in 2017 and said confidentiality agreements left her feeling silenced and hindered accountability.
- A third-party investigation led to a four-way settlement among the VSO, Esther Hwang, the union and the alleged perpetrator, who left the orchestra in 2019 when Hwang received $7,100.
- On Tuesday, the VSO announced it will largely stop using confidentiality agreements in sexual-misconduct cases unless requested, and it will engage experts including Can't Buy My Silence, the board said.
- Public backlash followed, prompting 'important reflection' within the VSO after the orchestra's legal team issued a cease-and-desist the day after the Globe and Mail article, and the lawyer's legal threat.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to end use of NDAs for sexual misconduct cases following backlash
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will end the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases involving sexual misconduct following backlash over its response to a musician who had gone public with sexual assault allegations.
Winnipeg Free Press
Vancouver orchestra won't sue violinist who broke NDA to speak out about alleged rape
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Vancouver orchestra won't sue violinist who broke NDA to speak out about alleged rape – Energeticcity.ca
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says it won’t be taking legal action against a violinist who broke a non-disclosure agreement to go public with accusations that she had been raped by one of its senior musicians, then faced retaliation from the orchestra. An open letter signed by VSO president Angela Elster and the symphony society’s board of directors says they regret the “suffering” endured by violinist Esther Hwang, who spoke out …
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