Paris Hilton, the renowned reality star turned activist, delivered a poignant testimony before Congress, shedding light on the grim realities faced by vulnerable youth in treatment facilities across the United States.
Hilton, a vocal advocate for reform in the child welfare system, shared her own harrowing experiences of abuse and neglect during her teenage years.
In a compelling address to lawmakers, Hilton described the "inhumane treatment" she endured, including forced medication and sexual abuse by staff members at multiple youth facilities.
Her testimony, rooted in personal anguish, focused extensively on her time at Provo Canyon School, a facility notorious for allegations of systemic abuse, which she detailed vividly in her 2023 memoir, Paris.
"At 16 years old, I was forcibly taken from my home and subjected to unimaginable horrors," Hilton recounted. "These facilities, instead of providing support, stripped away my voice, my freedom, and my dignity."
Her impassioned plea emphasized the urgent need for reform within the $23 billion youth treatment industry, which she criticized for prioritizing profit over the well-being of its residents. Hilton's testimony underscored the broader systemic issues plaguing such facilities, where vulnerable youth often endure isolation, physical restraints, and a lack of proper care.
"These innocent children, who have already suffered profound trauma, deserve protection and compassion, not further exploitation," Hilton declared, addressing Congress directly. She highlighted the plight of foster and adopted youth, who, like herself, often lack familial support and find themselves at the mercy of these institutions.
