Paris Hilton, the former reality TV star and socialite, recently made headlines when she spoke out about the alleged abuse she suffered at a “troubled teen” boarding school. In a recent documentary, Hilton opened up about her traumatic experience at the Provo Canyon School in Utah and how it has affected her life. Her story has sparked a new conversation about the mistreatment of young people in these kinds of facilities and has prompted her to take action to hold the school accountable. This article will discuss Paris Hilton’s fight back against the school and the impact she hopes to have on the troubled teen industry.
Paris Hilton, the original “It Girl” and reality TV star, has recently opened up about the traumatic experiences she endured as a teenager at residential facilities for troubled youth. In an interview with Sky News, Hilton describes being “shaken out of bed” in the middle of the night by two large men, who then proceeded to handcuff her and take her away to a boarding school. Like many children who attend these schools, Hilton’s parents paid for secure transportation, which she describes as “authorized kidnapping”.
Hilton was sent to a series of residential facilities for troubled teens when she was just 16. She says that her parents were strict and did not want her going out, but she rebelled and started sneaking out and getting bad grades. Her parents spoke to a therapist who recommended these schools, but Hilton later found out that this therapist and many others received commissions for sending children to these places.
Hilton spent two years at these schools, where she was subjected to various forms of abuse. She describes being “dehumanized on all levels”, including being forced to submit to cervical exams by male staff, being strip-searched constantly, and being force-fed medication. When she refused to take the medication, she was sent to what they called “obs”: a tiny cell with blood stains on the wall, with the air conditioning turned as cold as possible and all her clothes taken away.
Hilton’s experience is unfortunately not unique. The troubled teen industry is a multibillion-dollar business in the US, but reports of abuse and mistreatment are all too common. Children are often taken from their beds in the middle of the night by strangers and sent to these schools, where they are subjected to harsh discipline and strict rules. Some schools use physical restraints, isolation rooms, and medication to control the children’s behavior.
In response to the allegations, the owners of the Provo Canyon School (where Hilton spent some time) say that they can’t comment on the operations or student experience prior to 2000, when the school was sold, but that they do not condone or promote any form of abuse. However, Hilton believes that the industry needs to be held accountable, and that proper licensing and criminal background checks should be required for staff.
Hilton has become a figurehead for a movement that campaigns to shut down troubled teen schools across America. She has helped introduce new laws in Utah that put limits on the use of restraints, drugs, and isolation rooms in youth treatment programs, and require facilities to document any instances in which physical restraints and seclusion are used. She now wants to effect change on a national level, and believes that by continuing to fight this fight, they will succeed.
Hilton’s story is a stark reminder of the dangers of the troubled teen industry and the need for reform. Children should not be subjected to abuse, mistreatment, or dehumanization in the name of discipline or treatment. It is time for the industry to be held accountable and for children to be given the rights and protections they deserve.
In conclusion, Paris Hilton’s courage in speaking out about her traumatic experiences at the Provo Canyon School serves as a reminder of the importance of shining a light on the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals. Her fight against institutional abuse has encouraged others to come forward and seek justice for the pain they have endured. We hope that this inspiring advocacy will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of such facilities and drive change within them. As Paris Hilton stands at the forefront of this critical conversation, we must all strive to support those who have suffered and to work towards a safer future for all.
