Paris Hilton shares shocking abuse story, calls for tightening child welfare standards for foster youth
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Socialite Paris Hilton, aged 43, reportedly spoke out for changes to the child welfare system during her testimony on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, June 26.
Hilton also voiced concerns about the safety of foster children who lack regular check-ins from loved ones, according to People.
She shared her personal experience of abuse and recounted incidents involving two children who lived in abusive environments.
After detailing these accounts, she underscored the critical need for child protection from unsafe environments.
Paris Hilton says she was thrown into solitary confinement
During the House hearing, Hilton addressed the House Ways and Means Committee, recounting her own challenging experience from her time at a youth residential treatment facility in her youth.
Hilton claimed, "These programs promised growth, healing and support but instead did not allow me to speak, move freely, or look out a window for two years."
She then described how she had been mistreated by staff, force-fed medication, sexually abused, and thrown into solitary confinement among other brutal punishments.
In the 1990s, Hilton's parents, Rick Hilton and Kathy Hilton, enrolled her in several boarding schools for troubled teenagers. It was at one of these residential treatment facilities that she alleges she endured abuse.
Furthermore, Hilton expressed that her parents were "completely deceived, lied to, and manipulated" by the facility regarding the "inhumane treatment" she endured.
She asserted, "While my experience was not through the foster care system, I know from personal experience the harm caused by being placed in youth residential treatment facilities."
She asked, "Can you imagine the experience for youth who were placed by the state and don't have people regularly checking in on them?"
Paris Hilton urges lawmakers to strengthen protections for children
Hilton also recounted the stories of a 16-year-old boy who perished in one of those facilities and a 7-year-old who suffered abuse.
"As a mom these stories break my heart… The treatment these kids have had to endure is criminal. These kids deserve to grow up in safe, family-centered environments," she emphasized to the committee. "This 23 billion a year industry sees this population as dollar signs and operates without meaningful oversight."
The media personality urged lawmakers to strengthen protections for children to prevent them from being placed in abusive environments.
"Progress isn’t an option anymore," Hilton asserted. "It’s a life or death responsibility."
"If you are a child in the system, hear my words: I see you. I believe you. I know what you’re going through and I won’t give up on you," she continued passionately. "You are important. Your future is important. And you deserve every opportunity to be safe and supported."
Paris Hilton praised across social media for using her platform to fight for what is right
Following Paris Hilton's statements before the House Ways, many social media users have turned to Facebook to express their admiration for her courageous efforts.
One user said, "I'm very impressed by the person she has grown in to. Good for her using her platform to fight for what is right." [sic]
Another user added, "Good for her. Her parents should’ve paid more attention. I know she says that they were fooled, but you know what you gotta watch everything what happens with your kid." [sic]
The user claimed, "Anyone who speaks up for Foster Care System is great!! We need tough reforms. Too many of these precious babies through teenagers are lost in the cracks." [sic]
The user added, "Amazing work! This is wonderful to hear. I hope she is able to pass new laws." The last user claimed, "This is the kind of celebrity behavior we need to see."
This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online
