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SALT LAKE CITY – Celebrity Paris Hilton made a surprise appearance in the Utah State Legislature to testify in support of a bill that regulates so-called “troubled teens” schools.
Hilton speaks in favor of Senate Bill 127, which would place treatment centers that treat young people with substance abuse, behavior and other issues under greater government oversight, including regular reporting to the state on how they use restraints.
In moving testimony Monday before the Senate Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee, Hilton described being taken from her home in the middle of the night and sent to youth treatment centers, where she was abused and sometimes kept in isolation.
“This little room covered in scratches and smeared blood with no bathroom is one of the most vivid and traumatic memories I have ever known in my entire life,” she said. “Children have been held up, beaten, thrown into walls, strangled and sexually abused regularly in Provo.”
Hilton, who has been a model, reality TV star and singer, has been outspoken about his 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 owners of the school said they took over the installation in 2000 and can’t talk about his experiences there.
She lent her celebrity status to the closure of so-called “troubled adolescents” schools, arguing that they abuse children whose parents often spend thousands of dollars to treat them.
“I’m proof that money doesn’t protect against abuse,” Hilton said.
.@ParisHilton described being taken from her home and flown to Utah in the middle of the night.
It was not his first time in an establishment. She describes being there in other states. @ fox13 #utpol #utleg
– Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) February 8, 2021
Senator Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, executes bill that would allow Utah’s Department of Human Services to conduct surprise inspections, requiring facilities to report every time they detain a child or use chemical restraint, and exert increased government surveillance on them. Currently, Utah law does not allow any type of one-off inspections, which Hilton says has allowed them to cover up the abuse.
No one spoke against the bill. Some who also frequented youth treatment centers described similar abuse.
“This same model of treatment is being used statewide right now,” said Caroline Lorson of the “Breaking Code Silence” group, which campaigns against these schools.
Jeff Netto said he suffered similar abuse when he was 13 at a youth treatment center.
“It’s not Utah,” he cried. “This is not the way Utah acts, this is not the way we treat our children.”
READ: Former Utah School for Struggling Teens backs Paris Hilton abuse claims
Senators were amazed at what they heard.
“Frankly, we have failed to protect you,” Senator Derek Kitchen, D-Salt Lake City, told witnesses. “And I’m sorry for that.”
Senator Daniel Thatcher, of R-West Valley City, questioned whether the bill goes far enough. Senator Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, asked if they should ban these facilities outright.
The bill was passed by the committee unanimously and is now going to the Utah State Senate for a vote.
Senator McKell said a national group that represents certain treatment centers has said it supports more monitoring. After the hearing, Senator McKell praised Hilton for lending her celebrity status to bring attention to the issue in Utah.
“I appreciate that she uses her voice in a meaningful way,” he told reporters.
Hilton said she was thrilled to see the bill pass out of committee, but insisted it was just the start.
“This bill will definitely help a lot of children, but there is obviously more work to be done and I will not stop until the change happens,” she told reporters. .
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