"I was choked, slapped in the face": Paris Hilton talks about abuse in youth facilities

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Paris Hilton in front of the US Capitol

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ALMOND NGAN / AFP

Paris Hilton has spoken out strongly in favor of stricter rules in the fight against abuse of minors in youth facilities. "I was choked, slapped in the face, watched in the shower by male employees, insulted with swear words, forced to take medication without diagnosis, not properly trained, put in solitary confinement in a room covered with scratches and smeared with blood, and so much more." said Hilton in Washington on Wednesday about her time at a youth facility.

In her documentary "This is Paris" last year, Hilton made public that she had experienced abuse and violence in four private schools in her youth.

These were mainly facilities for children who, in the opinion of their parents, cause problems or are difficult to bring up.

"My parents were promised that 'tough love' would heal me," said the 40-year-old at a press conference in front of the US Congress in Washington.

Hilton is campaigning in the US capital for a bill that aims to better combat abuse in such facilities. "Federal law and funding are urgently needed to achieve real reform and accountability for such community bodies in America," said Hilton. Had there been stricter regulation at the time, she would have been spared more than 20 years of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Several Democratic politicians who are working with Hilton on the project were also present at the meeting in Washington.

MEP Ro Khanna said she was working on a bill that would give children in institutions numerous rights that have not yet been established;

including the right to call their parents and receive clean drinking water and nutritious food.

In an interview with NBC News, Hilton said there were thousands of these facilities and nearly 200,000 children were admitted there every year.

"And every day children are abused physically, emotionally, verbally, psychologically and sexually."

Last Monday, the Washington Post published an opinion piece by Hilton on the subject, entitled: America's 'dysfunctional teenage industry' must be reformed so that children can avoid the abuse I have suffered. ”He appealed she also asked US President Joe Biden and Congress to address the issue.

aar / dpa