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13h ago

Vancouver Symphony Ends NDAs in Sex-Misconduct Cases, Says It Won’t Sue Violinist Who Spoke Out

An open letter follows public backlash over a legal threat after Esther Hwang broke a 2019 confidentiality deal.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) says it will largely end the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual misconduct, after it faced backlash for sending a former employee a cease-desist letter.
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Esther Hwang, a woman who reported being raped by a coworker at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and was forced to sign an NDA in order to have the man removed from the company, poses for a photograph at her home in Vancouver, B.C. on November 27, 2025. (Jennifer Gauthier/The Globe and Mail)
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has apologized to violinist Esther Hwang following her sexual assault allegations.

Overview

  • The VSO said it does not intend to pursue legal action over Esther Hwang’s breach of a confidentiality agreement, and its CEO later clarified the orchestra will not sue.
  • New policy pledges to exclude confidentiality clauses from future sexual-misconduct settlements unless a complainant specifically requests one.
  • The orchestra acknowledged Hwang’s pain and said an external probe of her assault allegation was started but never completed; a 2019 settlement paid her about $7,100 and the accused left the VSO that year.
  • A musicians’ committee voiced support for Hwang as a petition led by oboist Katherine Needleman drew about 14,000 signatures urging the VSO to forgo legal action and end NDAs.
  • Hwang criticized the statement for lacking a full apology and an unequivocal legal waiver, while the VSO denied retaliation and cited an investigation that did not substantiate that claim, adding it will consult outside experts and the community.