{"id":19589,"date":"2025-01-01T13:56:14","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T20:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=19589"},"modified":"2025-02-27T11:39:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T18:39:25","slug":"celebratie-advocates-for-the-stop-institutional-child-abuse-act-a-monumental-step-for-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=19589","title":{"rendered":"Celebrity Advocates for the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Mikayla Shave<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Celebrity Paris Hilton, known for her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, spent the week on Capitol Hill urging the GOP-led House to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pivotal legislation, for which Hilton has passionately lobbied over the past three years, cleared the Senate unanimously on December 11. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an emotional interview, she shared with Fox News Digital that she was \u201cin tears\u201d upon the bill\u2019s passage in the Senate, calling it a \u201cmonumental moment\u201d for herself and the domestic violence advocacy community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Bipartisan Effort to Protect Vulnerable Youth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act represents a rare bipartisan achievement, fostering collaboration between Democrats and Republicans to reform residential youth facilities. The bill aims to address the lack of oversight and transparency that has allowed abuse to persist in these programs for far too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While progress has been made, the bill\u2019s enactment is under a tight deadline. If it isn\u2019t passed before the new Congress convenes in January, it will need to restart the legislative process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her Personal Connection to the Cause<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Her dedication to this cause stems from her harrowing personal experiences. At 16, Hilton was the victim of a “parent-approved kidnapping,” dragged from her home by two men and placed in a congregate-care facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These experiences, which she described as emotionally scarring, have fueled her mission to prevent other youths from enduring similar trauma. In 2022, She testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, detailing the long-lasting impact of these facilities on her mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lobbying for Change: A Painful Yet Cathartic Journey<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since October 2021, She has consistently traveled to Washington, D.C., every six to ten months to advocate for reform. Her meetings with key figures, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Chuck Grassley, highlight her relentless commitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the challenges and emotional toll of lobbying, she finds the process cathartic and necessary to effect meaningful change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Urgent Need for Reform<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to StopInstitutionalChildAbuse.com, between 120,000 and 200,000 of America\u2019s most vulnerable youth are funneled into residential treatment programs annually. These programs receive an estimated $23 billion in public funds, yet systemic reports of abuse persist. The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act aims to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n