Paris Hilton testifies before US Congress, exposes abuse at Utah boarding school

NEW DELHI: Paris Hilton, a reality TV personality, spoke at a congressional hearing on Wednesday, calling for increased federal regulation of youth care facilities. Drawing from her own traumatic experiences as a teenager in residential treatment centers, Hilton described the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse she endured.
Hilton, now 43, recounted being taken from her bed at age 16 and sent to a facility where she witnessed deplorable conditions."There's no education in these places, there's mold and blood on the walls," she said. "It's horrifying what these places are like. They're worse than some dog kennels."
She criticized the $23 billion industry for prioritizing profits over the well-being of vulnerable children, particularly with the increasing involvement of private equity firms. Hilton argued that these firms hire unqualified staff to maximize profits, saying, "They're caring more about profit than the safety of children."
Hilton, who has been a vocal advocate for greater oversight of the youth care system since sharing her story in 2021, emphasized the deception and manipulation that parents face when sending their children to these programs. "These programs promised 'healing, growth, and support,' but instead did not allow me to speak, move freely, or even look out of a window for two years," she told the committee.
Several lawmakers agreed with Hilton's call for increased federal oversight. Representative Bill Pascrell, a Democrat, expressed concern about the potential for fraud and the involvement of "Wall Street vultures" in child services. The committee acknowledged the need for action to protect vulnerable youth in these facilities.