Sarah Hyland Opens Up About Surviving Domestic Violence & Healing: Her Courageous Journey

In today’s video, we’re diving into Sarah Hyland’s incredibly powerful speech at Variety’s first-ever Courage Award ceremony. The "Modern Family" star opened up about her experience surviving domestic violence and using her voice to advocate for both animal welfare and domestic abuse awareness.
At 33, Sarah Hyland is taking a stand for a deeply personal cause. While accepting the prestigious Courage Award, she shared a raw and moving testimony of her own journey through domestic violence, shedding light on why it’s crucial to speak up about it.
For thousands of years, we didn’t talk about it," Sarah told Variety. She emphasized how vital it is to share these stories so others enduring similar abuse won’t feel alone or isolated. Sarah believes that "if we talk about it more, people in abusive relationships will feel more comfortable opening up to their loved ones instead of letting their abuser isolate them," a tactic abusers often use to gain control.
Talking about domestic violence, Sarah added, is key to helping survivors heal. She opened up about the lasting trauma, sharing how PTSD often lingers, haunting survivors long after they’ve left the abusive relationship.
It stays in that abused place of your soul," Sarah shared, where survivors may feel guilt and blame themselves. She admitted that there are times when you just don’t want to talk about it anymore—you just want it to be over. But, as Sarah expressed, the road to healing is about “putting love toward that scar instead of hating it.
Sarah's brave testimony follows a difficult chapter in her life. In September 2014, she secured a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Matt Prokop, who she claimed had verbally and physically abused her throughout their five-year relationship. Court documents revealed violent behavior, including a terrifying incident where he attempted to choke her. Fortunately, Sarah’s Modern Family co-star Julie Bowen intervened, helping her escape the abusive relationship.
Julie Bowen proudly praised Sarah’s resilience, stating, “Without adversity, there can be no way to define one’s character and sense of self. Sarah has met every challenge with determination, grace, and vulnerability.” She’s proud that Sarah’s courage is being honored in this way.
Sarah’s journey is a testament to her strength. Her decision to speak up about her past isn’t just brave—it’s inspiring others to do the same. For Sarah, healing is a lifelong process, but sharing her story is part of that journey, and she’s determined to help others along the way.