Power of Speaking Out and Shame's Harm

1. Purpose of Trey’s Law

• Federal legislation introduced to prohibit Non‑Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) from silencing child victims of sexual abuse.
• Ensures victims cannot be legally barred from speaking about their own abuse.
• Victims may choose confidentiality, but it cannot be forced on them.

2. The Story Behind the Law

• Trey was abused for years at a Missouri summer camp.
• As an adult, during civil litigation, he was pressured to sign an NDA, which deeply harmed his ability to heal.
• Trey died by suicide at age 28.
• His sister, Elizabeth Phillips, has become a leading national advocate, pushing to change the law so no child experiences this again.

3. Widespread Problem of NDAs in Child Abuse Cases

• Across the country, predators and institutions use NDAs to:
  • Silence victims.
  • Protect institutions from reputational damage.
  • Delay exposure long enough for statutes of limitations to expire.
• Children often do not disclose abuse until decades later due to delayed disclosure, grooming, and shame.

4. Systemic Issues at Certain Institutions

• Kanakuk Kamps (Missouri) highlighted as a major example:
  • Numerous allegations and confirmed cases of abuse over decades.
  • Accusations of institutional cover‑ups, pressure on victims, and secrecy agreements.
  • Advocacy groups maintain public databases of known or alleged abusers.
  • Some perpetrators remained in leadership roles or were moved to other ministries.

5. Survivor Testimony Impact

• A 19‑year‑old survivor, Jayden Harris, spoke publicly for the first time after being protected by Missouri’s version of Trey’s Law.
• She described being pressured by both her abuser and her own attorney to sign an NDA.
• Her testimony emphasized the power shift that occurs when victims know they cannot be silenced by law.

6. Bipartisan Support

Trey’s Law has broad, bipartisan backing in the U.S. Senate:

• Lead sponsors: Sen. Ted Cruz (R) & Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
• Additional bipartisan co‑sponsors from both parties.
• Strong expectation the bill will pass.

7. The Harm of Shame & Silence

• Shame is a powerful reason victims—especially children—do not come forward.
• Survivors speaking out helps:
  • Their own healing,
  • Other victims feel less alone,
  • Expose predators still active.

8. Call to Action for the Public

• Sharing the information widely on social media to raise awareness.
• Calling senators and representatives to urge passage of Trey’s Law.
• Supporting survivor advocacy organizations:
  • FactsAboutKanakuk.com
  • TreysLaw.org
  • NMVAlliance.org

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