On Wednesday, State Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) prefiled legislation aimed at increasing transparency in cases of child sexual abuse.
Woods hopes that "Trey's Law" will bring increased accountability for victims by banning nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases involving child sexual abuse and trafficking.
Woods says the bill will help ensure that abuse survivors can speak and testify in Alabama without fear of legal consequences.
“Trey’s Law aims to dismantle the coercive power of NDAs in abuse settlements, ensuring that survivors like Trey are not silenced by perpetrators seeking to conceal their crimes,” said Woods. “By curtailing the misuse of NDAs, Trey’s Law restores voice and agency to survivors, fostering a just legal system where accountability is paramount. Trey’s Law not only honors Trey’s memory but also enacts critical changes for future generations."
"By spotlighting the misuse of NDAs, this legislative push seeks to cultivate a landscape where justice prevails, and victims feel heard and supported,” he added.
The legislation is named after Trey Carlock of Dallas, Texas. Carlock, who passed in 2019 at the age of 28, was abused by Kanakuk Ministries' director Pete Newman. Despite an investigation revealing the director’s criminal actions against Carlock and other children, an NDA was used to shield other liable parties in the situation from consequences.
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