Paris Hilton is celebrating a major victory with the passage of her Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act by Congress, calling it «a day I’ll never forget.»
Paris Hilton is celebrating a monumental achievement, having used her platform and personal experience to secure protections for youth in institutional settings.
«Today is a day I will never forget,» the 43-year-old celebrity DJ wrote in the caption of a 20-photo Instagram post on Wednesday, December 18.
«After years of sharing my story and advocating on Capitol Hill, the *Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act* has officially passed in the U.S. Congress,» she continued.
The bill aims to establish regulations for the health, safety, care, treatment, and appropriate placement of young people in institutions like boarding schools, boot camps, and other youth facilities, according to Congress and the associated organizations.
The first photo featured Hilton in a black pantsuit and a colorful top, standing on the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., holding a poster with images of children raised above her head.
«Children should not die in treatment,» her poster boldly stated. In her caption, Hilton reflected, «This moment proves that our voices matter, that speaking out can lead to change, and that no child should ever suffer in silence. I did this for my younger self and for the many lives lost to the Troubled Teen Industry.»
Hilton had previously shared her personal story in her 2020 documentary, *This Is Paris*.
Describing her experience at the behavioral health center her parents sent her to as a teenager, Hilton recalled, «It was supposed to be a school, but education was never the priority.
From the moment I woke up until I went to bed, it was non-stop screaming and continuous torment.»
In her Instagram post on Wednesday, Hilton expressed gratitude to «the many survivors who bravely shared their stories, and to the families who supported us along the way.»
She continued, «And to the coalition, thank you from the depths of my heart for standing by me,» while also tagging several lawmakers who played a key role in the passage of the *Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act*.
