Six bipartisan U.S. senators came together to announce the federal filing of “Trey’s Law,” introduced to the Senate as the “Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements Law.” The bill — similar to versions passed or filed in a number of…
Georgia Senate unanimously approves clergy sexual abuse bill
The Georgia Senate voted 55–0 last Friday to pass Senate Bill 542, legislation aimed at strengthening criminal accountability for clergy sexual abuse in Georgia. Advocates say the measure closes a gap in state law and creates a path to justice…
Yandell v. Kanakuk lawsuit proceeds despite dismissal in appellate court
The Yandell v. Kanakuk lawsuit will proceed after requests for the case to be transferred to the Missouri Supreme Court, despite dismissal at the appellate level. The case was brought by former Kanakuk camper Logan Yandell in 2022 against Kanakuk…
Swinson testifies for Georgia clergy sexual abuse bill
A survivor of sexual abuse at a Georgia Baptist university testified before the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee last Wednesday in favor of a bill that would strengthen criminal accountability for clergy sexual abuse. SB-542 would amend Georgia’s criminal code to…
Three Baptist schools retain ties to Kanakuk Institute
Four educational institutions, including three seminaries, remain partnered with Kanakuk Institute, an eight-month program aimed at equipping post-graduate students with “biblical skills for a lifetime of ministry” with connections to Kanakuk Kamps. Three of these schools are Baptist affiliated. Over…
‘Virginia’s Bill’ would eliminate statute of limitations in sexual abuse cases
Last week, U.S. Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced S-3815, also known as “Virginia’s Law.” The bill would eliminate the statute of limitations restrictions in civil sexual abuse cases for American survivors. It is named after a survivor of…
Kentucky becomes latest state to file ‘Trey’s Law’
Capping off a week of testimonials in multiple states regarding proposed legislative changes for civil sexual abuse cases, Kentucky became the latest state to file “Trey’s Law” last week. Rep. T.J. Roberts filed HB-608, a public safety bill that ends the…
State-sanctioned abuse and the fragility of violent regimes
Although violence occurring at the hands of ICE agents may seem overwhelming and shocking, historically speaking, it is an unsurprising tactic of empire. Oppressors use violence, fear and illegal measures to account for their weaknesses. BNG’s Mara Richards Bim has…
Survivors and advocates support Trey’s Law proposals in Missouri, Georgia and Kansas
This week, sexual abuse survivors and survivor-advocates testified in front of legislative panels in Georgia, Kansas and Missouri, supporting passage of state versions of Trey’s Law bills that impact sexual abuse cases. These and other applications of Trey’s Law are…
Trey’s Law filed in Kansas and Georgia Legislatures
State legislators in Kansas and Georgia have filed bills known as “Trey’s Law,” public safety legislation that seeks to end nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse and trafficking claims. These contracts and clauses, originally intended to protect…
Why you should care about the Epstein Files
“I am so very exhausted. My body feels so tired. Will I ever be free?” This is a de-coded quote from the diary of a teenager trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Along with references to being raped by…
‘Trey’s Law’ legislation garners bipartisan support in Alabama
“Trey’s Law” inspired bills authored by Alabama Sen. Matt Woods and Rep. David Faulkner have been passed by their originating chambers with zero “no” votes. The bills now will cross chambers. SB-30 and HB-93 are public safety bills that would prohibit the…