The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act in a decisive 367 to 33 vote, marking a significant bipartisan victory for child welfare reform. This legislation, previously approved by the Senate, now heads to Joe Biden’s desk for final approval. The bill’s passage is largely credited to the relentless advocacy of celebrity and media personality Paris Hilton, who has made it her mission to shine a spotlight on abuses in youth residential treatment facilities.
Hilton took to social media to express her emotions after the vote, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Today is a day I will never forget. After years of sharing my story and advocating on Capitol Hill, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act has officially passed the U.S. Congress. This moment is proof that our voices matter, that speaking out can spark change, and that no child should ever endure the horrors of abuse in silence.”
The legislation aims to create greater oversight and accountability for residential treatment programs, which are often marketed as places of rehabilitation for “troubled” teens. These facilities have come under increasing scrutiny following numerous reports of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of vulnerable children placed in their care. The bill mandates the establishment of stricter guidelines, comprehensive reporting mechanisms, and enhanced protections to ensure the safety and well-being of minors in these programs.
Paris Hilton’s advocacy is deeply personal. The socialite and businesswoman has been vocal about her traumatic experiences at Provo Canyon School in Utah, a facility she attended as a teenager. She has described enduring physical and emotional abuse and has since dedicated herself to advocating for survivors and reforming the congregate care system.
Hilton collaborated with several lawmakers across party lines to advance the bill, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). This rare show of bipartisan cooperation underscores the broad recognition that more protections are needed for children in institutional settings.
In an interview with ABC News following the Senate’s passage of the bill, Hilton reflected on the emotional impact of this legislative milestone. “We were all just bawling, in tears, just so proud and so happy,” she said. “The whole survivor community is just — everybody is just so, so grateful and so happy, and they feel so validated that they’re being listened to.”
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act is a significant step toward preventing the types of abuses that have plagued these programs for decades. If signed into law, it will represent a critical safeguard for children and a hard-won victory for survivors and advocates alike.
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