The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act unanimously passed the United States Senate on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The bill has had strong support from a high-profile advocate – celebrity Paris Hilton – and she shared the incredible news with her followers on Instagram shortly after the vote passed. The bill “represents a concerted effort to enhance the oversight and accountability of youth residential programs nationwide, colloquially known as the ‘troubled teen’ industry,” the American Bar Association reported.
What is the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act?

The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA) was introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 2955) and the Senate (S. 1351) in April of 2023. It aims to “revolutionize the landscape of youth residential programs by implementing crucial recommendations from the Government Accountability Office and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),” according to the ABA.
Hilton has been championing the legislation after she alleged that she personally experienced abuse at Utah’s Provo Canyon School, where she was sent as a teenager.
“I Am Still in Shock”
“I am so proud to share that my bill The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act passed the U.S Senate unanimously today!!” the media personality shared on Instagram.
“All 100 Senators stood for protecting children in youth residential treatment facilities and I couldn’t have dreamed of a more powerful moment to be able to impact the system that harmed me. I am still in shock that my lived experience, among the powerful survivor community, has been able to impact meaningful progress and change for the next generation of survivors.”
“We still need this bill to get passed in the U.S House of Representatives to be signed by President Biden but WE ARE SO CLOSE!” she added, before thanking Senators Chuck Schumer, Jeff Merkley, and John Cornyn for their support.
Institutional Child Abuse Cases

There have been an unsettling number of cases of institutional sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers in recent years, with the ABA noting, “reports of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse within some of these residential programs have come to the fore, exposing disturbing incidents that include broken bones, fight clubs, sexual abuse, forced isolation, and a failure to provide adequate medical care or evidence-based treatment.”
Phillips Law Group supports survivors of institutional child abuse and can provide compassionate, confidential guidance to those who have suffered at one of these facilities. Our team may be able to work with you or a loved one who has been harmed to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
We want to help you seek justice and to heal following institutional abuse. Please contact us to learn more about your legal options today.