Bill SB 127, which prohibits youth treatment centres from employing certain punishment methods, has passed in Utah.
“Bill SB 127 bans harsh treatment of children such as denying food or water, spanking, hitting, seclusion, strip-searches, and other punishments “intended to frighten or humiliate.” It also bans the use of chemical restraint and ensures youth have unmonitored communication with their families.”
Source: Dazed
Last month, Paris Hilton was one of three people to provide personal accounts in support of the new reform bill. She has shared stories of the mental, emotional, and physical abuse she experienced as a teenager at Provo Canyon School in Utah in the 1990s.
Harsh Treatment
Hilton describes the inhumane treatment she received at the psychiatric facility as a teenager as violating and inhumane. She accounted details of her dignities being stripped in a number of ways. Hilton explained that the facility monitored her during bathroom and shower visits. She also had no access to sunlight or fresh air for 11 months during her stay and goes on to say that she was verbally, mentally and physically abused.
“I was verbally, mentally and physically abused on a daily basis. I was cut off from the outside world and stripped of all of my human rights,” Hilton told the Utah Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee of her interactions with employees at the Provo Canyon School, the residential center where she spent nearly a year as a teenager.”
Source: NBC
Response
In response to the shocking allegations, Provo Canyon issued an official media response:
“We do not condone or promote any form of abuse. Any and all alleged/suspected abuse is reported immediately to our state regulatory authorities, law enforcement and Child Protective Services, as required. We are committed to providing high-quality care to youth with special, and often complex, emotional, behavioural and psychiatric needs. We are concerned that the current media coverage may increase the stigma around seeking help for behavioral health concerns. This would be a disservice if it leads people away from seeking necessary care and increases the stigma around mental health that providers, organisations, advocates and members of the public have worked so hard – and made much progress over the years – to break.”
Hilton was one of three individuals to give personal accounts in support of the reform bill. During this time, Hilton shared the mental, emotional, and physical abuse that she experienced at the hands of Provo Canyon School. The freshly passed bill calls for tighter regulations and was sponsored by Republican state senator Michael McKell.
I couldn’t be more excited the House passed SB127 tonight. Reform to the trouble teen industry in Utah is long overdue. Thank you to Rep. Brammer and all those who have advocated for these important reforms. Thank you @ParisHilton for bringing attention to this critical issue. pic.twitter.com/mAB4OpYh34
— Mike McKell (@mikemckellutah) March 3, 2021
Hilton stated to NBC,
“I cannot go to sleep at night knowing that there are children that are enduring the same abuse that I and so many others went through. Neither should you. I am proof that money doesn’t protect against abuse.”
This is Paris
For the Paris Hilton backstory, check out The Real Story of Paris Hilton below…
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