Elizabeth Phillips, sister of victim Trey Carlock and national advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse. She tells her family’s story and why federal Trey’s Law would bar NDAs from silencing child abuse victims. Short, urgent discussion of institutional cover ups, how NDAs harm healing, powerful survivor testimony, and bipartisan momentum to change the law.
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NDAs Silence Child Abuse Survivors
NDAs are being used to silence child sexual abuse survivors and delay exposure until statutes of limitations expire.
Trey Carlock was abused for years, signed an NDA during civil litigation, and later died by suicide at 28, illustrating long-term harm of enforced secrecy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Trey Carlock's Abuse And Settlement Pressure
Elizabeth Phillips recounts her brother Trey's grooming and abuse at Kanakuk from age 7 to 17 and the institutional pressure that followed.
Trey sued as an adult in Texas, faced settlement pressure and an NDA while still young and vulnerable to financial leverage.
insights INSIGHT
Institutional Cover Up Enables More Perpetrators
Institutional cover-ups and NDAs enabled continued abuse and protected perpetrators within Kanakuk and connected ministries.
FactsAboutKanakuk.com documents over 90 perpetrators and reveals leaders were moved to other roles instead of removed.
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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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Verdict with Ted Cruz 