Sarah Hyland tearfully thanks TV mum Julie Bowen for helping her leave an abusive relationship

Sarah Hyland sheds light on her own experiences with domestic violence.

At diversityAt the Power of Women Honors on October 24 in Los Angeles, the actress received the first-ever Courage Award for her work in animal welfare and domestic violence awareness. As she accepted the award, Hyland, 33, gave an emotional and powerful speech.

She was introduced by her Modern family Co-star Julie Bowen, who she later called her “TV mom.”

“I didn't think it would be this emotional,” Hyland began, before trailing off and telling Bowen, “I love you.”

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and while it’s not the easiest topic to talk about, it’s of the utmost importance to us,” Hyland said. “I have spoken openly about my experiences as a survivor and want to support others in the way that Julie and all of my loved ones have done for me.”

“Accepting this award for courage made me think about what this word means to me. It takes courage to wake up every morning and face the world and know that people may have no idea what you're going through,” she continued, reflecting on her own experiences. “It’s all too easy to feel isolated and misunderstood – no matter how strong you are.”

Hyland became emotional again as she broke down in tears and shared, “There was a time when the only being I could trust with my true feelings and feel safest with was my dog ​​Barkley. He got me through the worst years of my life and I know I couldn't have made it without him.

She went on to acknowledge the work that Purina and their animal rights partner RedRover are doing with their Purple Leash Project before concluding her speech by thanking her “TV mom” Bowen and her “bio mom.”

In Bowen's introduction, she praised her on-screen daughter and shared a story about taking care of Hyland on set when she had health issues leading up to her kidney transplant. “She seemed to be a young woman who was invisible, and I rarely worried about her, aside from her health concerns,” Bowen said. “When I got the call one day asking if I could help rescue her from an abusive home situation, I was stunned.”

She continued: “My little dynamo, my little show business professional, my force of nature superstar became a victim.”

Bowen explained that she wouldn't “get into the details” because “abusers love attention and this damn piece of shit isn't going to get any more of my time.”

“It took real courage for Sarah to ask for help,” Bowen said. “Courage because if Sarah emerges from her situation she will be at risk of further physical, psychological and emotional abuse. And courage, because being a beautiful and successful actress brings with it a spotlight. And a spotlight can highlight a glorious, fearless performance, and this is also a spotlight that can open one up to the scrutiny and criticism of any person with a keyboard.”

Hyland has rarely spoken about her experiences with domestic violence. In 2014, she obtained a restraining order against Matt Prokop over allegations that he was verbally and physically abusive to her during their five-year relationship. PEOPLE obtained the file at the time, which alleged that Prokop, now 34, had exhibited violent behavior, made multiple threats and once tried to strangle her.

Before the order was given, Bowen intervened and helped Hyland end the relationship, which allegedly led to Prokop threatening to kill her dog and burn down her house.

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In a story for Variety, Hyland said she was “very guilty” of the “pattern of dissociation” that can result from domestic violence.

“(It stays) in this abused place of your soul where you think all the time it's your fault and you could have done better, you could have come out sooner, you could have told people,” she said.

“I don’t know if that part of a woman will ever fully heal from this. It's something that scars her soul a little. It's more about giving this scar love rather than hating and ignoring it.” ”

In the interview, she gave insights into the reasons that prompted her to now speak openly about it.

“We haven’t talked about this for thousands of years,” she said of ongoing domestic violence. “I don't think the community has shared enough.” And I think if we talk about it more, more women – and men and just people in general in abusive relationships – will feel more comfortable talking to their loved ones about it. instead of letting their abuser isolate them from everyone, which is the first thing they do so that that community doesn't exist.”

She added that it was “really important” to “talk about it” to help those in need.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available around the clock in more than 170 languages.