Kanakuk Threatens Lawsuit Over Podcaster’s Allegations

Kanakuk Kamps is threatening legal action against podcaster Shawn Ryan after he broadcast allegations that “thousands” of children have been abused by the youth organization.

In a Jan. 21 demand letter threatening a defamation lawsuit, Kanakuk lawyers demanded Ryan take down the podcast episode and apologize. The camp’s attorney accused Ryan of making reckless and unfounded claims.

“To suggest Kanakuk molested thousands of kids is not just false; it’s outrageously malicious, with no regard for the truth,” wrote Kanakuk attorney Bryan O. Wade in the letter.

Ryan is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and host of The Shawn Ryan Show.  He is refusing to retract the comments, saying he welcomes a legal fight. His views are not an outlier. Facts About Kanakuk, an organization that demands accountability for the ministry, states,  “For decades, Joe White and other camp leaders knew about and facilitated activities and behaviors that classify as sexual abuse against scores of children, a pattern that may continue to occur to this day. The same leadership is still at the helm.”

Ryan’s response to lawsuit threats

Ryan often draws upon well-established evidence and court records collected and archived by Facts About Kanakuk. Ryan is not backing down.

I don’t negotiate with pedophiles or the people who defend them

“Here’s my response: No,” said Ryan in a video posted Tuesday. “I don’t negotiate with pedophiles or the people who defend them. I’m not taking anything down. I’m not apologizing. And I’m damn sure not going to stop talking about child sexual abuse in a Christian camp that continues to operate on the same grounds where horrific abuse took place.” 

“We’ve made it clear. If they want to sue me, bring it on,” Ryan continued. “We welcome discovery. We welcome depositions of Kanakuk leadership about what they knew, when they knew it and what they did or didn’t do to protect children.”

The controversy stems from a Jan. 19 interview Ryan conducted with No More Victims Alliance founder Elizabeth Phillips during which he referenced allegations about Kanakuk Kamps. In a separate discussion with U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Ryan said Phillips had described how the camp “put… under NDA (non-disclosure agreements) … so that they can never come out and talk about their sexual abuse at [expletive] Kamp Kanakuk.”

Phillips has been very public about the death of her brother, Trey Carlock, who took his own life in 2019 at age 28. Carlock was sexually abused by former Kanakuk director Peter Newman while attending the camp, court records show. Ten years before the suicide, in 2009, Newman pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse and was sentenced to two life terms plus 30 years; he was denied parole in October 2024.

Newman’s documented crimes and Kanakuk’s handling of abuse reports have led to numerous lawsuits and legislative efforts. Phillips, who helped lead advocacy efforts for the law, said NDAs have long kept survivors silent.

When victims are silenced, the truth is also silenced

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed legislation in June 2025 that addresses the concerns of sexual assault victims and their families.  Named after the late Trey Carlock, Trey’s Law makes all nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse settlements unenforceable after Aug. 28, 2025. Kanakuk officials maintain they have cooperated with authorities and acted promptly upon learning of abuse, including firing and reporting Newman to law enforcement, and have implemented expanded child protection measures. In a statement on its website, the camp said it is reviewing the Ryan broadcast and will consider its response, while expressing continued support for survivors and their families.

Kanakuk response to allegations

Kanakuk’s legal counsel claims Ryan’s allegations are baseless and that the camp serves thousands of families each year. Ryan’s attorney responded by saying the statements are substantially true, relate to a matter of public concern and are protected by the First Amendment and Tennessee law.

The dispute highlights broader questions about institutional responsibility, transparency and the use of confidentiality agreements in abuse cases – topics that have spurred additional civil litigation and legislative interest in Missouri and beyond.

At the time Trey’s Law was signed,  Keith Dygert, who was also abused by Newman, stated, “When victims are silenced, the truth is also silenced, and the institutions that helped enable child sexual abuse are protected.”

Dygert says NDAs have “undeniably prevented proper and timely healing…by silencing victims when sharing their stories in their own time, in their own way.”

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice

with automated research assistant, Luke