"Forcibly held down, dragged through corridors and stripped naked." Paris Hilton speaks out in defense of children from abuse in boarding schools
Paris Hilton has spoken out before Congress to call for an end to institutionalized child abuse. The 43-year-old celebrity arrived in Washington to testify and spoke about her experiences in such an institution as a teenager.
In testimony before a committee to call for stronger protections for children living in institutions, Paris Hilton described how she was placed in a boarding school in the 1990s. "These programs promised healing, growth, and support, but instead, for two years, I couldn't speak, move freely, or even look out the window," Hilton said. "I was force-fed drugs and sexually assaulted by staff. I was held down, dragged through hallways, stripped naked, and thrown into a solitary room."
According to Paris, she was "plucked" from her parents' home at the age of 16 and sent to one of four institutions where she spent her teenage years. Hilton has previously claimed that she was emotionally, verbally and physically abused by staff at the Utah boarding school Provo Canyon School, where she once spent 11 months. And the star's parents, Richard and Kathy Hilton, were "deceived" and "manipulated" about the "inhumane treatment" she allegedly endured. They were assured that their daughter was "in good hands."
Hilton has slammed the institutions, claiming they are part of an industry that cares more about profit than the so-called troubled teens they are supposed to help. Paris has called for greater oversight of these institutions to ensure that children are properly cared for, especially those whose parents are unable to visit them regularly. The star noted that children in foster care are in an even worse situation.
As a result, Paris Hilton, who is raising two young children, called on lawmakers to pass laws on social security and to stop child abuse in children's institutions, as well as to do everything possible to prevent children from ending up in such institutions in the first place.
"I see you, I believe you, I know what you're going through, and I will not give up on you. You matter, and your future matters, and you deserve every opportunity to be safe and supported," Hilton said to children who are currently being abused and feeling ill in places like these.
The star of the popular reality show "The Simple Life" in the 2000s spoke in an interview a year ago about childhood trauma and the rape she experienced at age 15, after which her parents sent her to a specialized boarding school for difficult teenagers, which only worsened her mental state due to constant bullying.
Later, Paris Hilton became addicted to parties, and in 2008 she was named the main "socialite of the planet." Because of her scandalous reputation, the star even lost her family inheritance - the Hilton hotel chain. In 2021, Paris married businessman Carter Reum, and in January 2023 it became known that the couple had a son, Phoenix, with the help of surrogacy services. That same year, their daughter London was born.
