Paris Hilton, a name synonymous with glamour and celebrity, took a brave step into the public eye for a different reason recently. On June 26, 2024, Hilton testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means, sharing the traumatic experiences she endured as a teenager in various youth residential treatment facilities. Her testimony was a stark departure from her usual public persona, shedding light on the dark realities of the "troubled teen" industry.
Hilton's testimony was both shocking and heartbreaking. She recounted being forcibly taken from her bed at the age of 16 and transported across state lines to the first of four youth residential treatment facilities. These institutions, which promised healing and support, instead subjected her to severe restrictions and abuse. "I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff. I was violently restrained and dragged down hallways, stripped naked, and thrown into solitary confinement," Hilton revealed to the committee.
The Troubled Teen Industry
The "troubled teen" industry, which includes therapeutic boarding schools, boot camps, and behavior-modification facilities, is a multi-billion dollar sector that often operates with little oversight. Hilton's testimony highlighted the deceptive practices used by these facilities to lure parents into believing their children would receive necessary care and support. Instead, many youths, like Hilton, experience severe abuse and neglect.
Hilton's parents, misled by the promises of these institutions, were unaware of the true nature of the treatment their daughter was receiving. "My parents were completely deceived, lied to, or manipulated by this for-profit industry about the inhumane treatment I was experiencing," Hilton stated.
Advocacy for Change
Hilton's testimony is part of her ongoing advocacy to reform the troubled teen industry. She has been a vocal supporter of the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which aims to provide more oversight and protection for children in youth residential treatment facilities. "It’s really difficult to tell anyone in the outside world. A lot of these kids are not believed because these places tell their parents they’re being lied to and manipulated because they want to go home," Hilton explained.
The Provo Canyon School
One of the institutions Hilton attended was the Provo Canyon School in Utah, which has faced numerous allegations of abuse. Hilton's experiences at this school were detailed in her 2020 documentary, "This Is Paris," and her memoir. The school has since changed management and claims to focus on providing a structured environment and behavioral therapy, but Hilton's testimony suggests that the issues run deep within the industry.
Legislative Efforts
During her testimony, Hilton urged lawmakers to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and to consider the authorization of Title-B of the Security Act, which would establish a "Bill of Rights" for children in youth facilities. She emphasized the importance of allowing children to communicate privately with their parents or trusted adults, a right she was denied during her time in these institutions.
A Call for Action
Hilton's testimony has resonated with many, drawing attention to the urgent need for reform in the troubled teen industry. Lawmakers commended her bravery and the impact of her testimony on raising awareness about the challenges faced by many children in similar situations. Representative Mike Thompson and Representative Mike Kelly praised her courage and the impact of her testimony on raising awareness about the challenges faced by many children in similar situations.
In her closing remarks, Hilton expressed her hope that her testimony would bring about positive change for children enduring similar hardships. "I aim to be a voice for those who are often unheard and provide the support I wished for during my own traumatic experiences," she concluded.
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