"Forcibly held down, dragged through corridors and stripped naked." Paris Hilton speaks out in defense of children from abuse in boarding schools

"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."

Пэрис Хилтон/Фото: Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Пэрис Хилтон/Фото: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

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.

Пэрис Хилтон/Фото: Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Пэрис Хилтон/Фото: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

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.

More in the section Celebrity

Anne Hathaway smiling in a portrait photograph
Celebrity

Anne Hathaway is 'Team Letter' in Verity — and she doesn't trust Lowen or Jeremy

Anne Hathaway lands firmly on Team Letter in the Verity ending debate — and she says she doesn't trust Lowen Ashleigh or Jeremy Crawford.

Lewis Hamilton in racing suit and cap at the 2022 British Grand Prix
Celebrity

Kim Kardashian: 'I was really single for five years' before Lewis Hamilton

Kim Kardashian says she stayed single for five years after her split from Kanye West, and only recently felt ready to open up to Lewis Hamilton.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry photographed together smiling at an event
Celebrity

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle hold hands on Cotswolds pub date

The couple dined at a 16th-century inn in the Cotswolds — Markle ordering gluten-free fish and chips, Harry a chicken, ham and leek pie — in their first public outing together since moving back to the UK in Aug...

Taylor Swift posing for a photo
Celebrity

Taylor Swift hits three UK No. 1s in 2026 — and celebrates in Burberry

Taylor Swift is the first artist ever to land three UK No. 1 singles in 2026, and she marked the milestone in a British Burberry knit on Instagram.

Talia Ryder portrait
Celebrity

Talia Ryder joins Tom Holland's Fred Astaire biopic as June Allyson

Talia Ryder, a classically trained dancer, will play June Allyson in Sony's Fred Astaire biopic alongside Tom Holland, Margaret Qualley and Sabrina Carpenter.

Sydney Sweeney posing on a red carpet at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Celebrity

Sydney Sweeney goes full 'Baywatch' in a red one-piece on a Lake Powell trip

Sydney Sweeney posted Instagram photos from a Lake Powell trip with boyfriend Scooter Braun, wearing a red one-piece that channels Pamela Anderson's 'Baywatch'.

Anne Hathaway smiling at a public appearance
Celebrity

Anne Hathaway's doctor nixed Hot Ones — she'll call Sean Evans if baby is overdue

Anne Hathaway's doctor told her to skip the Hot Ones challenge while pregnant, so she's holding on to host Sean Evans' number in case her third baby is overdue.

M. Night Shyamalan speaking at a public event
Celebrity

M. Night Shyamalan's Remain surprise-premiered — early reactions call it his Vertigo

M. Night Shyamalan sprang his upcoming supernatural thriller on a genre-festival crowd months early, and the first reactions are raving.

Rihanna posing on a red carpet in 2019
Celebrity

Rihanna hit Paris Fashion Week in a shimmering gold tinsel skirt suit

Rihanna stepped out at the Matières Fécales show in a waist-cinching, gold tinsel skirt suit that shimmered with every step.

Dolly Parton in a 1970 RCA Records press photo
Celebrity

Dolly Parton welcomes fans to new Life of Many Colors Museum in posthumous video

The late singer greeted visitors via a prerecorded message as her Life of Many Colors Museum opened Tuesday in Nashville.


Aerial view of Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sport

Buccaneers' Todd Bowles: 'Every time we go forward, we're going backwards'

A Starbucks red holiday cup
Food

Starbucks' 2026 holiday menu adds Tiramisu Velvet and an Apple Pomegranate Refresher

The Beatles arriving at JFK Airport in New York
Entertainment

The Beatles lead all-time Hot 100 No. 1s with 20 — full top-13 list

Anne Hathaway smiling in a portrait photograph
Celebrity

Anne Hathaway is 'Team Letter' in Verity — and she doesn't trust Lowen or Jeremy

Emma Stone at the Kinds of Kindness press conference, 2024 Cannes Film Festival
Lifestyle

Emma Stone gives the '90s jean a chic upgrade at Louis Vuitton's Paris dinner

Palm trees and shoreline along the Riviera Maya in Mexico
Travel

Park Hyatt's first all-inclusive is now booking December stays

An open Cup Noodles instant ramen cup with chopsticks
Food

Cup Noodles' Vampire Ramen turns blood red — and there's a $3,999 coffin to match

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey at SXSW 2025
Entertainment

Pedro Pascal makes his Oscar case with a cello in 'Behemoth!'

Cristiano Ronaldo in a football match
Sport

Jorge Jesus opens door to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal return: 'Everything is open'

Lewis Hamilton in racing suit and cap at the 2022 British Grand Prix
Celebrity

Kim Kardashian: 'I was really single for five years' before Lewis Hamilton

Dakota Johnson on the green carpet at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival in a glamorous look
Lifestyle

Taylor Swift and Dakota Johnson on SNL: plaid minidress vs latex

View of Flagstaff, Arizona with the snow-dusted San Francisco Peaks rising behind the town
Travel

Delta adds Salt Lake City–Flagstaff nonstops, a new gateway to the Grand Canyon

Dolly Parton smiling in a portrait at an awards ceremony
Food

Dolly Parton's Cup of Ambition coffee ships nationwide in three roasts

Tom Cruise on the red carpet
Entertainment

Tom Cruise is 'so proud' of Digger despite its $8M soft opening

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry photographed together smiling at an event
Celebrity

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle hold hands on Cotswolds pub date

Selena Gomez at a UNICEF event in 2012
Lifestyle

Selena Gomez's merlot manicure gets pierced with gold hoops for fall

Historic Essex Street in downtown Salem, Massachusetts, lined with buildings and storefronts
Travel

Salem turns 400: how to eat, stay and play in the US's real Halloweentown

A large chocolate chip cookie held in front of a neutral background
Food

Chip City closes all 22 cookie shops — and fans mourn the Cookies 'N' Cream

Lionel Messi warming up before a soccer match
Entertainment

Lionel Messi's 'Messi and the Giants' trailer features Luck Ra's theme song

Stadio Monigo in Treviso, home ground of Benetton Rugby, seen during a match
Sport

Ciaran Frawley scores twice on Connacht debut to seal 22-19 win over Benetton