Trey Carlock’s sister talks about “Trey’s Law” a bill that would ban NDAs in child sexual abuse cases

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KBSI) — The sister of Trey Carlock — the man for whom “Trey’s Law” is named — is speaking out about the bill that would ban non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in child sexual abuse cases.

Elizabeth Phillips said her brother Trey Carlock was a victim of child sexual abuse who signed an NDA in a civil settlement. She believes that agreement silenced her brother to the grave.

“I am Trey’s big sister in life and death, and this work is in honor of him,” Phillips said. “It means so much that Missouri is listening to survivors, because my brother is a victim who didn’t survive.”

Carlock was sexually abused for years at Kanakuk Christian sports camp.

After his abuser, Pete Newman, was convicted, Carlock entered into a civil settlement agreement which required him to sign an NDA – prohibiting him from speaking to his family or anyone about the abuse he suffered.

Phillips believes the agreement is what lead to her brother’s death by suicide in 2019 — six years after signing it.

“My brother told a therapist just before he died by suicide that they would always control him and he would never be free,” she said. “He was so scared to talk about it even in therapeutic settings.”

Phillips said legislators have shown great support for Trey’s law which would prohibit the misuse of NDAs in civil settlement agreements for child sexual abuse victims. Rep. Brian Seitz (R-district 156) spoke about NDAs during the legislative session on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

“These are legal mechanisms that were created to protect trade secrets, not trauma secrets,” he said.

Five states in the U.S. have laws or bills that have been filed to address NDAs to some degree, but Phillips said when it comes to the misuse of NDAs against child sexual abuse victims — Tennessee and Missouri are now the two states leading the way.

“We’re really thrilled that the state wherein Kanakuk operates is taking a stand with survivors and saying, no more silence in our state,” she said.

Kanakuk Ministries has since put out a public response apologizing for the pain inflicted on victims and their families due to NDAs.

“We were wrong in our understanding of the language of many of these agreements, and we failed to recognize the restrictions – both real and perceived — that many victims are under… We support the right of victims to share their story in pursuit of healing.”

The bill still has to be signed by Governor Kehoe.

Phillips is hopeful. She said this is just the beginning — she hopes to eventually file this type of law federally, as well.

The Missouri Senate passed “Trey’s Law,” as an amendment to House Bill 737, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

“Trey’s Law,” sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson (R-District 33) as Senate Bill 590, prohibits the misuse of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) against child sexual abuse and trafficking victims in civil settlement agreements.

The sweeping child protection bill, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Burger (R-District 27) and authored by Rep. Melissa Schmidt (R-District 141), now awaits Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature to be signed into law.

The bill is backed by dozens of child sexual abuse survivors, including Elizabeth Phillips, who lost her brother Trey Carlock six years ago.

Carlock died by suicide after being silenced by a nondisclosure agreement following his lawsuit against Kanakuk Kamps and Joe White.

Trey’s Law, named after Carlock, aims to ban NDAs in civil settlements for child sexual abuse victims.

Stay with FOX23 for updates.