By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

4 minutes read. Updated 7:00PM GMT Thurs, 27, 2024

Paris Hilton has made an emotional plea for sweeping changes to youth treatment facilities during her testimony before the US Congress. The American socialite and businesswoman recounted her traumatic experiences of alleged abuse at a private youth facility in Utah, calling attention to the problematic “troubled teen industry.”

Hilton, now 43, described being “force-fed medications and sexually abused by staff” during her stay at the facility as a teenager. Her testimony highlights the dark side of these centers, which often market themselves as therapeutic environments for troubled adolescents.

While some children are placed with relatives or foster families, others are sent to treatment centers that function as group homes for those with complex medical or behavioral needs. Hilton accused the industry, worth billions of dollars, of prioritizing profits over the well-being of the children.

As an outspoken advocate for children in youth facilities and the foster care system, Hilton has previously shared her story through a book, a documentary, and various interviews. She recounted how, at 16, she was taken from her bed by strangers in the middle of the night. Her parents, concerned about her slipping grades and behavior, believed they were sending her to a reputable boarding school. However, they were unaware of the facility’s true nature, having been “continually lied to and manipulated by the staff,” Hilton told the committee.

“They just thought it was going to be a normal boarding school,” she said. “And when I got there, there was no therapy. We would just constantly be torn down, abused, screamed and yelled at.” All communication with the outside world was controlled, and Hilton testified that any negative remarks about the facility led to immediate punishment, including physical beatings and solitary confinement.

Hilton said the “inhumane” treatment she endured has left lasting scars. She is now urging US lawmakers to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. The proposed bill seeks to federally manage the troubled teen industry, ensuring transparent abuse reporting systems and establishing nationwide guidelines to meet the diverse needs of children in these centers.

A recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services found that many US states do not adequately track the treatment of children in these facilities or record instances of abuse.

Hilton’s testimony has sparked a call for international awareness and reform. The global community is encouraged to scrutinize and improve similar institutions within their own borders.

For more insights into Paris Hilton’s advocacy and the ongoing efforts to reform youth treatment facilities, visit our detailed report here.