Paris Hilton shares powerful testimony on protecting children during visit to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Paris Hilton was on Capitol Hill Wednesday to advocate for child welfare reform during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee.

“I’m here to be the voice for the children whose voices can’t be heard,” Hilton said during prepared testimony. “If you are a child in the system, hear my words. I see you. I believe you. I know what you’re going through, and I won’t give up on you.”

The reality TV star has been an advocate for protecting foster care children in recent years and has detailed the alleged abuse she suffered as a teenager at several residential treatment facilities.

“While my experience was not through the foster care system, I know from personal experience the harm that is caused by being placed in youth residential treatment facilities,” Hilton said. “These programs promise healing, growth and support but instead, did not allow me to speak, move freely or even look out a window for two years.”

During her opening statement, Hilton shared stories of children she said suffered abuse and even died while in these types of facilities.

“Why can’t we as a society see that these kids are hurting?” Hilton asked. “They need love and kindness, not beatings and restraints.”

According to the House Ways and Means Committee, there are currently 34,000 foster care youth living in residential treatment facilities.

“From my own experience, it has caused me severe post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma that I will have for the rest of my life,” Hilton said.

The hearing was focused on strengthening child welfare programs through the reauthorization of Title IV-B.

Since 2023, Hilton has also advocated for the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. The legislation, which has bipartisan support, would create more transparency within youth facilities and provide guidelines to states to prevent abuse.

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