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Sarah Hyland is using her suffering as motivation. After going through what she described as her own abusive relationship, the Modern Family alumnus spoke out about the significance of supporting survivors of domestic violence. Sarah explained that traumatic memories can remain "in that abused place of your soul." By sharing her own experience, she hopes to let others know they're not alone.
Sarah stated in an October 24 interview with Variety that "it's almost like you don't want to talk about it anymore." "You want it done, so it's done. Its dissociation pattern is something I am well aware of.
The 33-year-old has admitted that she feels "very much guilty" about repeating the same behavior "until something happens where I'm triggered," adding that she was unaware that a part of her had been healed.
"I'm not sure if that aspect [of] any woman will ever recover completely from that," Sarah, who has been blissfully married to Wells Adams of Bachelor Nation since 2022, added. "It's something that leaves a small scar on her soul."
Sarah thinks that supporting survivors is "more so putting love towards that scar instead of hating it and ignoring it" because of this.
“We haven’t discussed it for thousands of years now,” she continued. Instead of allowing their abuser to isolate them from everyone, which is what they do first, so that you don't have that community, I believe that more women—and men, and just people in abusive relationships in general—will feel more at ease being able to talk about it with their loved ones if we have more conversations about it.
In 2014, the actress's lawyer confirmed to E! News that she had obtained a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Matt Prokop. According to court documents that E! News was able to obtain, Sarah accused Matt of verbally and physically abusing her during their relationship. She gave credit to her TV mother, Julie Bowen, for ultimately assisting her in leaving the relationship.
At the time, Prokop's representatives were contacted by E! News for comment, but they did not respond.
Julie is now complimenting Sarah on her bravery in helping those in need.
"One's character and sense of self cannot be defined without adversity," Julie told Variety. Since a very young age, Sarah's journey has required her to overcome obstacles on both a physical and emotional level. She has experienced every moment with determination, grace, and vulnerability.”
