SALT LAKE CITY – Celebrity Paris Hilton made a surprise appearance at the Utah State Legislature to testify in favor of a bill that regulates so-called “troubled teenagers” schools.
Hilton is speaking in favor of Senate Bill 127, which would put treatment centers that deal with young people facing problems of addiction, behavior and other issues under greater government oversight, including regular reports to the state on how they use restrictions.
In an emotional testimony on Monday before the Senate Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee, Hilton described being taken out of her home in the middle of the night and sent to youth treatment facilities, where she was abused and sometimes kept in solitary confinement. .
“That little room covered with scratches and blood stains without a bathroom is one of the most vivid and traumatic memories I have ever experienced in my life,” she said. “Children were arrested, beaten, thrown against walls, strangled and sexually abused regularly in Provo.”
Hilton, who was a model, reality show star and singer, spoke openly about your experience at Provo Canyon School, where she claims to have been abused in the 1990s. Hilton has repeatedly called for the school to be closed, including supporting an online petition. The new school owners said that took over the installation in 2000 and you can’t talk about your experiences there.
She lent her celebrity status to close the so-called “troubled teenagers” schools, arguing that they abuse children whose parents often spend thousands of dollars to get treatment for them.
“I am proof that money does not protect against abuse,” said Hilton.
.@ParisHilton describes how she was taken from her home and flown to Utah in the middle of the night.
This was not his first time at an installation. She describes being in other states. @ fox13 #utpol #utleg
– Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) February 8, 2021
Senator Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, is executing the bill that would allow the Utah Department of Human Services to conduct unexpected inspections, require the facility to report whenever it contains a child or use a chemical restriction and put more government oversight about them. At the moment, Utah law does not allow any type of on-site inspection, which, according to Hilton, has allowed cover up abuses.
No one spoke out against the bill. Some who also attended youth treatment centers described similar abuses.
“This same treatment model is used across the state right now,” said Caroline Lorson, of the “Breaking the Code of Silence” group, which advocates for these schools.
Jeff Netto said he experienced similar abuse at age 13 at a youth treatment center.
“This is not Utah,” he shouted. “This is not how Utah acts, this is not how we treat our children.”
READ: Utah school alumnus for troubled teens supports allegations of abuse made by Paris Hilton
The senators were shocked by what they heard.
“Frankly, we failed to protect them,” Senator Derek Kitchen, D-Salt Lake City, told witnesses. “And I’m sorry about that.”
Senator Daniel Thatcher, of R-West Valley City, questioned whether the project went far enough. Senator Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, asked if they should ban these facilities at once.
The bill was unanimously approved by the committee and is now going to the Utah State Senate for a vote.
Senator McKell said a national group representing some treatment centers said it supported more supervision. After the hearing, Senator McKell praised Hilton for lending her celebrity status to draw attention to the Utah problem.
“I appreciate that she is using her voice in a meaningful way,” he told reporters.
Hilton said she was pleased to see the bill passed by the committee, but insisted that this was just the beginning.
“This project will definitely help a lot of children, but there is obviously more work to do and I will not stop until the change happens,” she told reporters.