Paris Hilton, a seasoned supporter of child welfare and oversight of juvenile residential treatment centers, testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means on Wednesday. Hilton, one of several expert witnesses, shared her childhood experiences in these institutions, which she called the "troubled teen industry." She described how at 16 years old, she was dragged from her bed at home and brought to the first of four institutions she would eventually reside in.
Hilton claimed that these programs promised healing, growth, and support but instead did not allow her to speak, move freely, or even look out a window for two years. Staff sexually harassed her and forced-fed her medication. She was sent in solitary confinement after being forcefully detained, carried along halls, and stripped nude. Hilton used a Barbie doll fantasy life to deal with the trauma she suffered at these institutions.
She declared her support for the bipartisan committee's efforts to extend Title IV-B of the Social Security statute, a child welfare enhancement statute, until its expiration date in 2021. She also urged Congress to approve the federal working group on child residential programs by passing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. The working group would provide suggestions for enhancing the security and care of children enrolled in residential programs.
Hilton informed the committee that juvenile residential institutions often prioritize financial gain above the security of the kids. She stated that they are trying to spend as little money as possible, and the type of employees they are hiring are people not being checked, who should be nowhere near children.
One of the locations she experienced abuse was the child residential center Provo Canyon School in Utah, which has been the target of several lawsuits, threats to its licenses, and allegations of mistreatment from a number of students. Hilton urged legislators to introduce rules requiring these systems to let kids talk to their parents or other responsible adults on their own.
During the session, lawmakers complimented Hilton's remarks repeatedly. Representative Mike Thompson thanked her for her compelling and courageous testimony and the work she has been doing to highlight the problems faced by many others on a daily basis. Hilton expressed her hope that her story may help youngsters who are similar to her and that her story may help them.
WATCH: @ParisHilton opening statement on Child Welfare Programs: "I am here to be the voice for the children whose voices can't be heard...The treatment these kids have had to endure is criminal...I will not stop until America's youth is safe." pic.twitter.com/wBeJIZ6u1L
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 26, 2024
Hilton claimed that these programs promised healing, growth, and support but instead did not allow her to speak, move freely, or even look out a window for two years. Staff sexually harassed her and forced-fed her medication. She was sent in solitary confinement after being forcefully detained, carried along halls, and stripped nude. Hilton used a Barbie doll fantasy life to deal with the trauma she suffered at these institutions.
She declared her support for the bipartisan committee's efforts to extend Title IV-B of the Social Security statute, a child welfare enhancement statute, until its expiration date in 2021. She also urged Congress to approve the federal working group on child residential programs by passing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. The working group would provide suggestions for enhancing the security and care of children enrolled in residential programs.
Hilton informed the committee that juvenile residential institutions often prioritize financial gain above the security of the kids. She stated that they are trying to spend as little money as possible, and the type of employees they are hiring are people not being checked, who should be nowhere near children.
.@ParisHilton: "I love your jacket. The sparkles are amazing."@RepTenney: "I had a little bling here for today."
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 26, 2024
Hilton: "I want to find out who made it later."
Ms. Hilton then addresses the question on mental health, access to therapy and community based programs. pic.twitter.com/uiIrqmXjVF
One of the locations she experienced abuse was the child residential center Provo Canyon School in Utah, which has been the target of several lawsuits, threats to its licenses, and allegations of mistreatment from a number of students. Hilton urged legislators to introduce rules requiring these systems to let kids talk to their parents or other responsible adults on their own.
During the session, lawmakers complimented Hilton's remarks repeatedly. Representative Mike Thompson thanked her for her compelling and courageous testimony and the work she has been doing to highlight the problems faced by many others on a daily basis. Hilton expressed her hope that her story may help youngsters who are similar to her and that her story may help them.
