If you’ve turned Paris Hilton into a political warrior on your 2024 bingo card, you’re about to be a massive winner. Ms. Hilton has been busy this year advocating for legislation that would provide better oversight of short-term residential facilities that treat minors with substance abuse and behavioral problems.
Our former RedState colleague Jeff Charles, who can now be found on the pages from our sister site Townhall, previously reported on Hilton’s lobbying for a California bill that would “bring much-needed transparency and accountability to juvenile treatment facilities in the state.”
Per Jeff:
The bill, SB 1043, was authored by Republican State Senator Shannon Grove and co-authored by Democratic lawmakers. It is partly a response to the horrific experiences that Hilton and many others in the “problematic teen industry” have had.
The Legislative proposals would provide more control over juvenile treatment facilities while forcing them to be more open about their disciplinary actions.
Hilton explained Although such facilities “masquerade as emotional growth schools or wilderness camps, these are just names they put up, and they contain false advertising, and people have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.”
Paris Hilton describes “sexual abuse” at a juvenile facility during powerful testimony before Congress
She herself knows exactly what is going on, having experienced such abuse as a teenager when she was taken to a residential treatment facility after her parents had concerns about her going to clubs and parties.
Hilton described her traumatic, life-changing experiences as she took her national crusade and testified before Congress last summer.
The heiress spoke about the time she spent as a child in juvenile halls, often collectively referred to as the “troubled teen industry.” The 43-year-old told the committee how she was ripped from her bed at home when she was 16 and taken to the first of four facilities where she would ultimately stay.
Hilton has previously revealed that her parents sent her to these establishments after she started going clubbing and partying when she was 15.
“These programs promised healing, growth and support, but for two years they did not allow me to speak, move freely or even look out the window,” Hilton told the panel.
“I was force-fed medication by staff and sexually abused. I was violently restrained and dragged through the halls, stripped naked and thrown into solitary confinement.”
Hilton would deal with the abuse she endured in those facilities by pretending to be someone else, she told The Independent last year.
“I was in so much pain that I created this Barbie doll fantasy life,” Hilton said. “It was a character I put on as a mask to protect myself.”
Paris Hilton was back on Capitol Hill this week urge The House of Representatives passed the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate last week. Hilton said she was “in tears” when the bill passed the Senate, calling it “such a monumental moment” for those like her who worked strenuous to pass the bill.
“It just makes me proud to know that every single senator recognized the urgency of this issue and supported something that I have worked so hard for,” Hilton said.
Now the fight for passage goes to the Republican-led House of Representatives, and Hilton is keeping the pressure on lawmakers with a letter stressing the importance of passing the bill this year:
“When the U.S. Senate came together in a rare show of unity on Wednesday, December 11, to unanimously pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life,” the letter continued. “It was proof that when we listen to survivors and put politics aside, we can make real, meaningful change. But this journey is not over yet. I can’t celebrate until this bill becomes law and now it’s up to the matter.” US House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started.”
Hilton appeared on CNN Monday night to continue the tough push on Congress and revealed the fruits of her efforts: According to Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), the House of Representatives will vote on the bill Tuesday night.
Paris Hilton said she received a call this evening from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise informing her that the bill to combat institutional child abuse would be voted on tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/2BxgmHPT01
– Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 17, 2024
It’s refreshing to see someone on the Hollywood set using their celebrity to do good. Instead of the livid social media resignations, threats to leave the country, and patronizing climate talks that her colleagues have been prone to lately, Paris Hilton is using her platform to actually lend a hand others. And not just others: children, the most vulnerable part of our population.
There’s a race for governor in California – just saying.
