Paris Hilton-backed bill targeting institutional child abuse passes Congress
A bill aimed at preventing child abuse in youth residential programs and championed by Paris Hilton passed Congress Wednesday.
"This moment is proof that our voices matter, that speaking out can spark change, and that no child should ever endure the horrors of abuse in silence," Hilton said in a post on Instagram. "I did this for the younger version of myself and the youth who were senselessly taken from us by the Troubled Teen Industry."
In her 2020 documentary, "This is Paris," Hilton revealed she experienced trauma starting at the age of 16 as she attended residential treatment facilities. Since then, she has met with lawmakers in Utah and Washington, D.C., promising fellow survivors fight for legislative change.
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act passed the House with bipartisan support Wednesday after passing the Senate on Dec. 11. It is headed to President Joe Biden's desk for signature.
Paris Hilton details traumatic experiences while fighting for legislation
In a 2022 Paste BN op-ed, Hilton alleged widespread sexual assault and abuse of children, including herself, at programs and schools targeted as helping "troubled teens."
"It takes all my courage to talk about it, but I couldn’t stand knowing that children as young as 8 years old are being sent to these 'troubled teen' programs by parents who don’t know and government agencies that don’t care," Hilton wrote.
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act establishes an interagency Federal Work Group on Youth Residential Programs to implement best practices and develop recommendations for a national database of outcomes, and support the education of staff at youth residential programs.
Hilton became a household name during the early 2000's reality show "The Simple Life," alongside Nicole Richie. Hilton has since become a DJ and businesswoman, returned to the screen with another reality show "Paris in Love," and released a memoir.
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at Paste BN. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.