Paris Hilton is using her trauma and experiences to create a positive change through her advocacy for the “Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act.” She has been tirelessly lobbying lawmakers for years, and her efforts have paid off as the bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting approval in the House.

The bill aims to increase transparency in facilities for troubled teens, ensuring that abuse is less likely to occur behind closed doors. It will make sure that families know their rights and can stay in contact with their children without being monitored, a critical point considering the abuse Paris herself suffered in such facilities. Paris described the deceptive marketing tactics used to lure families into sending their children to these institutions and emphasized the dire need to stop this practice, especially since it is a $23 billion industry funded by taxpayers.

Reflecting on her past, Paris shared that her role on The Simple Life was a trauma response, where she built a “fantasy” persona as a way to protect herself from the emotional scars of her past. She admits that many people thought that was her true self, but it was all a shield to deal with the pain. Her passion for stopping the abuse in these institutions is now a defining purpose in her life, and she sees this advocacy work as her true legacy.

Paris has expressed deep gratitude for the support she’s received from both sides of the political aisle and hopes that President Biden will sign the bill into law soon. She considers this cause the most meaningful of her life and is committed to seeing it through for the sake of all children affected by these institutions.

Paris Hilton, a globally recognized star, has transformed the pain from her past into a meaningful purpose in her life. Rising to fame through reality TV, Paris has used her voice to fight for a crucial issue: protecting children from abuse at troubled teen treatment facilities.

Hilton, who suffered physical and verbal abuse at a teen treatment center, has spent years lobbying lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to pass the “Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act.” This bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, aims to bring transparency to these institutions, which, until now, have operated largely behind closed doors. The legislation still needs to pass the House of Representatives, but its passage is considered likely.

In an interview in Washington, D.C., Paris Hilton shared her thoughts on the progress of the bill and what it means for children who enter these facilities. “This means the world to me,” Hilton said. “I feel so incredibly proud. I’m here to celebrate and just so grateful to everyone here in D.C. for helping make this happen to protect children.”

The bill aims to shed light on what really goes on inside these treatment centers, a cause that is deeply personal to Hilton. Having experienced firsthand the deceptive marketing that misled her family into believing that these facilities were safe and therapeutic, Hilton wants to ensure that future generations of children are protected. “People have no idea what’s happening behind closed doors, and this bill is going to make it so that people understand they are being watched,” she explained. “Everything will be out in the open, and families will know what’s really happening.”

Hilton recalled how her parents were misled by marketing that portrayed these facilities as places for emotional growth and equestrian activities, only for her to experience abuse behind the scenes. “It was a complete scam,” Hilton said, adding that she and many others had been manipulated and lied to. She expressed heartbreak for her family, who had no idea what was happening to her during her time at these institutions.

Under the new legislation, children entering these facilities will have more rights, including the ability to speak freely with their families without being monitored. Hilton emphasized that many of the abuses happen when children are isolated and unable to communicate openly. She recalled how her family would be cut off whenever she tried to speak out, with staff punishing her if she did.

“This is a $23 billion-a-year industry of taxpayer money going into these places, and it needs to stop,” Hilton said. “I’ve been fighting for so long to help end this, and I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure it does.”

Paris Hilton’s advocacy for this cause has garnered bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans. She hopes that the bill will soon be signed into law by President Biden, marking a major victory for child protection. “I told myself I would never forgive myself if it didn’t pass,” Hilton admitted. “That’s why I got on a plane at 6 a.m. yesterday and flew here because I wanted everyone to know how important this is to me.”

Hilton, who once became known for her playful persona on reality TV shows like The Simple Life, revealed that much of her behavior during that time was a trauma response. She had repressed the painful memories of her time in treatment centers, creating a “fantasy” persona to shield herself. “Everything I was doing was a trauma response,” she shared. “I created this perfect life, and the world just thought that was who I really was.”

It was only after learning about the ongoing abuse in these facilities, with thousands of children still being sent there every year, that Hilton found the courage to speak out. “I knew I had to use my voice and say something,” she said. “This has been the most healing and empowering experience of my life.”

When asked where this work ranks among her many accomplishments, Hilton was unequivocal: “I’ve done iconic and amazing things in my life and career, but this is the thing that means the most to me. This is the most meaningful work of my life. This is my true purpose in life.”

As the bill moves through Congress, Hilton hopes that the next time she is in Washington, it will be for a celebration at the White House when President Biden signs the legislation into law. “I really hope and pray that would be so incredible,” she said.

Paris Hilton’s journey from reality TV star to child advocate is an inspiring example of how one person can turn personal pain into a powerful force for change. Her fight for children’s rights continues, and she remains steadfast in her determination to protect future generations from the horrors she endured.