via Office of Rep. Don Beyer Press Release

June 26, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) – During today’s House Ways and Means Committee hearing on “Strengthening Child Welfare and Protecting America’s Children,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) asked children’s advocate and hearing witness Paris Hilton about seclusion and restraint in schools. Beyer sponsors the Keeping All Students Safe Act, legislation to ban seclusion and dangerous restraint practices from being used on children in American schools.

Paris Hilton’s response made a powerful argument against seclusion and restraint:

“From personal experience it was extremely traumatic… experiencing that on a daily basis, seeing my other peers being restrained, just for no reason. It was just, the power was abused all the time by the staff members.

“And restraint and seclusion are extremely dangerous, they create lifelong trauma. Restraints and seclusion have also led to numerous child deaths in these facilities. Cornelius Fredericks [of Michigan] was restrained until he couldn’t breathe and died at 16 years old. A 12-year-old [who so far has not been named by local authorities] in a North Carolina facility, just yesterday his death was confirmed a homicide from staff locking him in a restraint and seclusion tent overnight until he couldn’t breathe.

“Restraint and seclusion are not therapeutic – ask anyone who’s experienced it. I believe that Congress should do more to protect youth from these practices.”