Sarah Hyland Tears Up Giving Message of Courage to Domestic Abuse Survivors: ‘It’s All Too Easy to Feel Isolated, No Matter How Strong You Are’

variety.com:

Jack Dunn “Modern Family” star and “Love Island USA” host Sarah Hyland spoke Thursday night in Los Angeles at the annual gala for Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.

In her speech, the four-time SAG Award winner was honored at the event with the inaugural Variety Courage Award presented by Purina, for her work to increase awareness around animal welfare and domestic abuse. “Accepting this award for courage has made me think about what that word means to me.

It takes courage to wake up every morning and face the world knowing that people may have no idea what you are going through,” Hyland said in her speech. “It’s all too easy to feel isolated and misunderstood, no matter how strong you are.” Hyland went on to praise the award’s sponsor, Purina, and its animal rights activist partner RedRover for their Purple Leash Project, which helps domestic violence shelters become “pet-friendly.” As Hyland indicated, nearly half of domestic abuse survivors delay leaving because they can’t take their pets with them.

Additionally, fewer than 20 percent of domestic violence shelters accept animals. The Purple Leash Project hopes to help survivors bring their furry friends along without having to make “an impossible choice between their safety and the safety of their pets.” “Since 2019, Purina and RedRover have provided more than 50 Purple Leash Project grants todomestic violence shelters across the country,” Hyland said. “In the world of isolation they’ve been living in, you cannot underestimate the power of letting them know they’re not alone.” As a domestic abuse survivor herself, increasing awareness and easing access to support systems is imperative to Hyland’s mission.