Paris Hilton has called for change to youth residential facilities and shared her own experience with alleged abuse before a US congressional committee.

Hilton said she was “force-fed medications and sexually abused by staff” after being sent to a private youth residential facilities as at a teenager.

She urged lawmakers to reauthorise an act that provides funding for child welfare issues and to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act.

The American socialite and businesswoman is an outspoken advocate for children in youth facilities as well as those in the foster care system.