Paris Hilton heads to DC in support of legislation against childhood sexual assault
Heather Hamilton
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Paris Hilton is heading to Washington, D.C. in support of the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act.
The legislation, formerly known as the Accountability for Congregate Care Act, is set to be introduced Thursday by Reps. Ro Khanna (D- CA) and Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Cornyn (R-TX). The bill will seek to enhance national data collection and reporting for minors living in residential programs and institutional care settings.
WATCH: PARIS HILTON CREDITS FAITH IN GOD FOR OVERCOMING ABUSE TO BECOME A WIFE AND MOTHER
Hilton is hoping to use her own experiences with physical and sexual abuse as a child to help gain support for the legislation. The socialite turned reality star and businesswoman shared about her abuse in her new memoir.
“Sharing my story in my new book was just the beginning of my work to shed light on the truths about child sexual abuse,” Hilton said in a statement. “Since then, many survivors have bravely shared their story with me and it’s clear that the way we talk and think about child abuse must change — starting with much needed policy change.”
“By shedding light on this issue, we can start important conversations and hopefully open the door for many to begin healing, but meaningful change will only happen if we demand it,” she added. “This is why I am proud to be leading the effort to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. This legislation is so important for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse in institutional settings.”
Hilton said she has been working on the bill for more than two years, noting that knowing it is now being introduced feels “surreal.”
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Hilton became a mother to son Phoenix in January and told The View last month that the experience has made her “a different person.” She said she kept her pregnancy a secret.
“My life has been so public, and I just really wanted this for myself,” she explained. “I didn’t want to have to think of the media and people having negative energy towards my unborn baby. I just wanted him to be safe on Earth.”