Sarah Hyland still ‘triggered’ by abusive relationship after ex Matt Prokop’s arrest

Sarah Hyland admits she is still “triggered” by a past abusive relationship.

“Modern Family” star. spoke to Variety about being a survivor of domestic violence and the PTSD she often suffers as a result. The interview is coming up in a few months according to her ex Matt Prokop — who was before granted a restraining order against — was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

“(PTSD remains) in that abused place of your soul where you think it’s your fault all the time and you could have done better, you could have gotten out sooner, you could have told people,” she said for the press.

Hyland, 33, explained that she understands why so many survivors “don’t want to talk about it anymore” and want the whole experience “to be over.”

“I totally understand the dissociation pattern,” she continued. “I’m very guilty of that… until something happens where I’m triggered and I don’t realize that a part of me has been healed.”

Hyland admitted that she may never “fully heal” from her abuse.

“It’s something that affects his soul a little bit,” she said. “It’s more about loving that scar instead of hating it and ignoring it.”

Former “Love Island USA” host –– who is married to 2022 “Bachelor” alum Wells Adams –– has since spoken out about her abuse and encourages others to share their stories.

“The community hasn’t shared enough, I think. And I feel like if we talk about it more, more women — and men and just human beings in general in abusive relationships — will feel more comfortable being able to talk about it with their loved ones,” she told Variety. “Instead of letting the abuser isolate them from everyone, which is the first thing they do, so you don’t have that community. So we have to keep talking about it.”

Hyland’s abusive relationship with Prokop was made public in September 2014, when she was granted a restraining order against him.

Hyland alleged that her “Geek Charming” co-star verbally and physically abused her during their five-year relationship and she accused him of choking her and threatening her and her dog’s life.

“His grip was so tight I couldn’t breathe or speak. I was scared and I feared for my life,” she recalled in the file at the time.

Nearly 10 years after he was ordered to stay away from Hyland, Prokop was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in May in Texas.

Prokop’s girlfriend allegedly called the police and claimed he pushed her and hit her head on something.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.