Defending the Victims of Child Sex Abuse: How Trey’s Law Is Going National
In one of the most emotional and consequential episodes of Verdict with Ted Cruz to date, Senator Ted Cruz and co‑host Ben Ferguson sat down in Washington, D.C. with a courageous guest whose story is reshaping the national conversation about child protection. Elizabeth Phillips—sister of the late Trey Carlock, a survivor of years of sexual abuse at a well‑known summer camp—joined the show to discuss the growing bipartisan momentum behind Trey’s Law, newly introduced by Senator Cruz in the United States Senate.
This episode wasn’t about politics, polls, or campaigns. It was about protecting children, amplifying the voices of survivors, and confronting a disturbing reality in America: child sexual abuse is widespread, chronically underreported, and too often covered up by powerful institutions using non‑disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims.
For parents, for survivors, and for anyone who cares about ensuring that abuse is never hidden in the shadows again, this is an episode—and a movement—you cannot ignore.
The Epidemic: Child Sexual Abuse in America
Senator Cruz opened with a chilling reality check:
- A child in the U.S. is sexually abused every nine minutes.
- 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be abused before the age of 18.
- Most victims will never disclose their abuse, or not until decades later.
This phenomenon—known as delayed disclosure—is well‑documented. Children rarely come forward immediately. Many wait until adulthood. Some never speak out at all.
Yet despite this, institutions facing civil litigation routinely push victims—sometimes still legally children—into signing NDAs that silence them for life. Those NDAs become powerful tools not for justice, but for cover‑ups, helping predators avoid exposure and enabling institutions to protect their reputations rather than the children in their care.
As Senator Cruz put it, “We cannot always prevent the first victimization. But we can stop the second victimization—when institutions use NDAs to muzzle survivors.”
Trey’s Story: Groomed, Abused, Silenced—And a Family’s Fight for Truth
Elizabeth Phillips shared the heartbreaking story of her brother Trey, whose life was stolen long before he died.
Beginning at age seven, Trey attended Kanakuk Camps in Missouri—a “faith‑based” youth camp trusted by families across the South and Midwest. Behind the façade, a camp director was grooming and abusing Trey and other children for years.
The perpetrator was eventually sentenced to three consecutive life terms. But by then, decades of damage had been done.
What Elizabeth and many other families would later learn is that Kanakuk staff and leadership had systematically concealed years of abuse—not reporting predators, not warning parents, and in many cases moving known abusers to other affiliated ministries. The more survivors came forward, the clearer the pattern became. Elizabeth’s investigation with other families revealed over 90 alleged perpetrators connected to the camp or its affiliated ministries.
But the final blow came when Trey—under pressure from the camp, its lawyers, and even his own attorney—was convinced to sign a restrictive NDA as part of a civil settlement. The secrecy consumed him. He could not speak about what happened to him—not even in therapeutic settings—without fear of retaliation.
At age 28, Trey died by suicide.
His last words to a therapist still haunt Elizabeth:
“They will always control me. I will never be free.”
The Birth of Trey’s Law: Ending NDAs for Child Sex Abuse Victims
Trey’s Law is simple but groundbreaking. It makes NDAs in cases of child sexual abuse:
- Void
- Unenforceable
- Illegal to require in a civil settlement
Importantly, victims retain the right to request an NDA if they want privacy. The bill protects survivors—not institutions, not predators.
Texas and Missouri have already passed versions of Trey’s Law thanks to survivors like Elizabeth and advocates across the political spectrum. Now, Senator Cruz, along with bipartisan co‑sponsor Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and five additional senators, has introduced it federally.
This is where the movement goes national.
A Survivor’s Courage: Jaden’s Story Shakes the Room
At the press conference announcing Trey’s Law, a 19‑year‑old named Jaden Harris shared her story publicly—for the very first time—protected by the Missouri version of Trey’s Law.
Her testimony was nothing short of stunning.
Jaden was sexually abused by a well‑known Branson entertainer who remains out in public today, performing around families and children. When she pursued civil action, both her abuser and her own lawyer tried to force her into a lifetime NDA.
But because Trey’s Law existed in Missouri, she could not be legally silenced.
Her words captured the entire purpose of the legislation:
“Imagine being told you can never tell your own truth. Trey’s Law protected me. No agreement could take away my right to speak.”
There was not a dry eye in the room. As Ben Ferguson noted, this is why these stories must be shared—because one survivor speaking publicly can inspire dozens more to come forward and save future victims from harm.
How NDAs Help Cover Up Crimes—and Enable More Abuse
The most disturbing revelation from Elizabeth’s investigation is how institutions use NDAs not only to bury past abuse, but to buy time until victims age out of civil statute‑of‑limitations windows.
In Missouri, for example, victims must file civil claims against institutions by age 26—a law that has remained unchanged since 1939.
Kanakuk leadership, she explained, bought enough silence to ensure many victims were too old to file by the time they realized what happened to them.
This isn’t just misconduct. It’s institutional abuse, layered on top of the original crime.
It is impossible to read Elizabeth’s findings, hear Jaden’s testimony, or look at the sheer number of alleged perpetrators without recognizing the truth: NDAs have been weaponized against victims for decades.
Trey’s Law would end that nationwide.
Why Conservatives Should Champion Trey’s Law
Multiple themes throughout the episode resonate deeply with conservative values:
1. Protecting Children First.
The protection of minors is not a partisan issue—it is a moral one. Nothing is more fundamental than safeguarding vulnerable children.
2. Transparency Over Secrecy.
Conservatives have long argued that corrupt systems thrive in darkness. NDAs allow predators to hide behind legal shields and prevent parents from learning the truth.
3. Empowering Families, Not Institutions.
No child should ever lose their voice so that an institution can protect its brand or revenue stream.
4. Accountability Matters.
Just as Senator Cruz has long advocated tough measures against sexual predators—including defending laws that allow harsh penalties for the worst offenders—Trey’s Law strengthens public safety and stops repeat victimization.
This is common sense. This is moral clarity. And this is why Trey’s Law enjoys broad bipartisan support—and strong enthusiasm from conservatives across the country.
How Listeners Can Make a Difference—Right Now
Senator Cruz made the call to action unmistakably clear:
1. Share this episode.
Put it on Facebook, X, Instagram, Truth Social—everywhere. You never know which survivor may find the courage to come forward because of it.
2. Call your senators and representatives.
Offices track every call. When phones light up about an issue, it moves legislation. Tell them you support Trey’s Law and expect them to support it too.
3. Help survivors access resources.
4. Speak out.
Post on social media. Encourage your community. Let survivors know they are not alone.
As Senator Cruz emphasized:
“Your geography should not determine whether you’re allowed to tell the truth about a predator.”
A Movement Built on Pain, Purpose, and Truth
At the end of the episode, Senator Cruz thanked Elizabeth for transforming unbearable personal grief into national advocacy that has already changed the law in multiple states—and soon, with God’s help and the support of the American people, the entire country.
As Elizabeth said so powerfully:
“Grief can be love in action.”
Trey’s Law is that action.
This moment is that action.
And every person who shares this story or makes a phone call is part of that action.
This is how we protect the next child.
This is how we end the era of silence.
This is how we honor Trey and countless others.
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