OAN Brooke Mallory
UPDATED 3:00 PM – Friday, April 28, 2023
In support of a newly introduced bill to regulate “troubled teen” institutions, designed for young people battling with substance abuse and behavioral problems, Paris Hilton spoke at Capitol Hill on Thursday with a bipartisan group of legislators.
At the Capitol, Hilton was joined by Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) to discuss the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which they sponsored.
The legislation would establish federal reporting standards and data for the “troubled teen” industry, and it would also give states advice on the best practices to stop abuse.
The actress, model, and heiress of Hilton Hotels admitted to the Capitol crowd that she, herself, was a victim of the shady business. Hilton detailed how, between the ages of 16 and 18, staff members at various “troubled teen” facilities both physically and mentally mistreated her.
“I witnessed and experienced sexual abuse from adult staff as well as endured verbal and emotional abuse daily. I was yelled at, dehumanized, silenced and stripped of any semblance of privacy,” she said. “When I attempted to tell my parents about the abuse on the phone, staff would stop and immediately hang up the phone and punish me. On top of this, you had no access to the outside doors, no sunlight, no fresh air. These were considered privileges. What I went through will haunt me for the rest of my life.”
Hilton alleged that she was brutally confined and medically drugged against her will. She also added that male employees of the facilities would keep an eye on her while she showered.
Be the first to comment