The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Verdict with Ted Cruz: Defending the Victims of Child Sex Abuse — Trey's Law Going National

Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson (with Senator Ted Cruz)
Guest: Elizabeth Phillips (sister of Trey Carlock)
Notable segment: Testimony from survivor Jaden Harris

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on combating child sexual abuse through legislative reform, specifically the introduction of "Trey's Law" in the U.S. Senate. Named after Trey Carlock, a survivor who lost his battle with trauma and died by suicide, Trey's Law seeks to prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that silence victims of child sexual abuse. Senator Ted Cruz and guest Elizabeth Phillips (Trey's sister and lead advocate) discuss the background, the urgency, and the bipartisan support for this bill. The episode gives voice to survivors, highlights institutional cover-ups—especially at Kanakuk camps—and calls listeners to action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Scope and Urgency of the Problem

• Prevalence Statistics:
  • “A child in America is sexually abused every nine minutes. One in four girls and one in six boys in America will be sexually abused before turning 18.” (Sen. Ted Cruz, 06:14)
• NDAs & Systemic Silence:
  • Many institutions and perpetrators currently use NDAs to silence victims, even children, after legal settlements.
• Delayed Disclosure:
  • “Children that are victimized…don’t come forward oftentimes for decades, if ever at all.” (Elizabeth Phillips, 09:38)

2. Trey Carlock’s Story and the Birth of Trey's Law

• Trey’s Abuse and Tragedy:
  • Abused at Kanakuk camp from age 7; abuser eventually prosecuted.
  • Trey was pressured into signing an NDA, which ‘haunted’ him. He eventually died by suicide at 28.
• Inspiration for the Law:
  • Texas and other states have implemented versions of Trey's Law, now expanding to the federal level with bipartisan support.
• Elizabeth Phillips’ Advocacy:
  • “I learned more about my brother's trauma and his death than I knew in his life because of the NDA.” (Elizabeth Phillips, 14:50)
• Institutional Accountability:
  • Kanakuk involved in a massive cover-up with over 90 alleged perpetrators. Many face no consequences, and some remain involved with children. (16:35)

3. The Mechanics and Impact of NDAs

• NDAs as Tools of Silence:
  • NDAs were often signed by children or their parents, silencing victims for life—even in therapy.
  • “My brother…was so terrified...even in therapeutic settings, even trying to get sober in AA, he was worried Kanakuk would come after him.” (Elizabeth Phillips, 14:50)
• Legal Incentives:
  • Lawyers, working on contingency, are incentivized to settle quickly, further pressuring victims (27:22).
  • The law will allow victims—but not abusers—to request confidentiality.
  • “We are seeing NDAs demanded by abusers in exchange for compensation.” (Sen. Cruz, 26:07)

4. Legislative Process & Bipartisan Support

• Bill Details:
  • Prohibits NDAs that silence minor victims of sexual abuse; does not prohibit confidentiality if victim requests it.
• Bipartisan Momentum:
  • Initial sponsors: Sen. Gillibrand (NY), Sen. Klobuchar (MN), Sen. Britt (AL), and others (29:54).
  • “I think we will get very widespread bipartisan support. To be honest, those six are the only six I asked.” (Sen. Cruz, 29:54)
• Historical Context:
  • Parallels with efforts to reform military sexual assault prosecution.

5. Testimonies: Survivor Voices

Jaden Harris' Statement [34:22–38:14]

• Key Moments:
  • Jaden, 19, describes being pressured by her lawyer and her abuser to sign an NDA.
  • “What I wasn’t prepared for was the intimidation not only from my abuser, but from my own lawyer...” (Jaden Harris, 34:45)
  • Thanks Trey's Law for allowing her to preserve her voice in settlement.
  • “My abuser is still out in public every day…The criminal justice system has done nothing to remove him from being around children, so I’m going to do something. I’m speaking out today and I’m advocating the law that protected me.” (35:55)
  • Emphasizes that a survivor’s right to speak should not depend on geography; calls for Trey's Law to go national.

Additional Insights

• On Shame and Healing:
  • “There’s something really powerful about a survivor taking ownership of their own story, of their own abuse and sharing their story. It can be healing, it can be empowering.” (Sen. Cruz, 38:51)
  • Survivors often don't come forward, especially men (average age of disclosure 50-70) (Elizabeth Phillips, 43:22)
  • “Shame…is the tool that keeps them silent. Jaden put the shame back where it belongs—on the abuser.” (Elizabeth Phillips, 44:03)
  • “If you’ve been a victim, it’s not your fault.” (Sen. Cruz, 44:07)

6. Institutional and Systemic Villainy

• Kanakuk Camps:
  • Over 90 named perpetrators or accused staff; most unpunished.
  • Elizabeth and other families built a public database and whistleblower community: factsaboutkanakuk.com
• Legal & Social Blind Spots:
  • Statute of limitations often runs out before disclosure, limiting victims' legal options.
  • NDAs often used to “buy silence” and protect institutional brands.

7. The Broader Challenge: Sextortion & Technological Abuse

• Related Legislation:
  • "Take It Down Act" makes it a crime to post non-consensual intimate images, including AI deepfakes.
  • Children and teens are at unique risk—one in three will be propositioned sexually online. (Sen. Cruz, 49:15)

8. How Listeners Can Help: Calls to Action

• Public Engagement:
  • “Share this podcast…Pick up the phone and make a phone call. Call your senator, call your House member and urge them pass Trey's Law.” (Sen. Cruz, 52:52)
• Survivor Resources:
  • factsaboutkanakuk.com — Whistleblower site for Kanakuk victims and families (51:53)
  • treyslaw.org — Central advocacy and support site for Trey's Law
  • NMVAlliance.org — No More Victims Alliance, broader advocacy group

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Impact of NDAs (Elizabeth Phillips):

  “I learned more about my brother's trauma and his death than I knew in his life because of the NDA.” (14:50)

• On the necessity of Trey's Law (Sen. Cruz):

  “There are not settlement agreements that say as a condition of the settlement you have to deal crack cocaine because dealing crack cocaine is illegal. By taking NDAs off the table…that incentive for their lawyers to pressure them to do this will go away.” (27:23)

• On Survivor Testimony (Jaden Harris):

  “What almost happened to me—signing away my voice—should never be an option in this country…I am grateful to be part of today’s important milestone in making that happen and setting truth free.” (37:55)

• On Shame and Healing (Elizabeth Phillips):

  “What Jaden did today is she put the shame back where it belongs. On the person who abused her. It was never her fault.” (44:03)

• On Collective Action (Sen. Cruz):

  “Every predator we take off the street stops that predator from victimizing another child…But we can stop the second victimization. We can say, we are not going to allow, as a matter of law, for children…to be silenced.” (54:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:28] Sen. Cruz introduces the problem, Trey's case, the scale of abuse.
• [09:38] Elizabeth Phillips describes delayed disclosure and the origins of her advocacy.
• [12:45] Grooming process explained; institutional complicity at Kanakuk outlined.
• [16:35] Discussion of the breadth of the Kanakuk cover-up (numbers, accountability).
• [20:21] Pressures on victims from both institutions and their own lawyers; NDA mechanics.
• [26:07] Cruz discusses legal system incentives and the core provision of Trey's Law.
• [29:54] Bipartisan support and context in military sexual assault reform.
• [34:22] Jaden Harris’ testimony—consequences of NDAs for survivors.
• [38:51] Reflections on the power of survivor storytelling.
• [43:21] Disclosure demographics and the long-term silence of many victims.
• [44:07] Direct address to victims: “It’s not your fault.”
• [48:10] Dangers of online child exploitation and sextortion.
• [50:55] Closing thanks and next steps from all guests.
• [51:53] Resource websites and survivor support.
• [52:52] How to support Trey's Law: spread awareness, call Congress.
• [56:23] Additional legislative efforts and survivor hope.

Calls to Action & Resources

• Share the episode to raise awareness.
• Visit & share these sites:
  • factsaboutkanakuk.com (Kanakuk info/support)
  • treyslaw.org (about the legislation)
  • NMVAlliance.org (broader advocacy)
• Call your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support Trey's Law.
• Speak out on social media to support legislative change and public accountability.

Tone & Style

The conversation remains direct, sympathetic, and passionate—the guests and hosts speak with urgency, compassion for victims, and sometimes righteous anger at institutional failures. They balance the gravity of abuse with actionable hope: legislative change and survivor empowerment.

This episode is essential listening for those seeking to understand the legislative fight against the silencing of child sexual abuse victims, and provides both the stories and strategies needed to advocate for change.