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, Jaden 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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