Elizabeth Phillips, sibling and advocate who led the push for Trey’s Law after her brother’s abuse and death. She recounts Trey’s story and how NDAs silence child survivors. The conversation covers institutional cover ups at Kanakuk, pressure to sign settlements, a 19‑year‑old survivor speaking out under Missouri law, and the bipartisan effort to ban gagging children.
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insights INSIGHT
Why NDAs Can Destroy Survivors
Trey’s Law prevents NDAs from silencing child sexual abuse victims in settlements.
Trey Carlock signed an NDA after abuse and later died by suicide at 28, illustrating long-term harm of forced secrecy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Trey’s Childhood Grooming And Forced Settlement
Elizabeth Phillips describes Trey's grooming and abuse at Kanakuk from ages seven to seventeen.
He sued as an adult, faced settlement pressure, and was forced to file by age 23 under Texas civil limits.
insights INSIGHT
How Institutional Secrecy Extends Abuse
Elizabeth says institutional cover-ups and NDAs let perpetrators avoid accountability for decades.
Their research now lists over 90 alleged perpetrators linked to Kanakuk and affiliated ministries.
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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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