Sarah Hyland has tirelessly used her celebrity to bring attention to two issues close to her heart: animal welfare and domestic violence. On October 30th diversity will honor her with the first at the upcoming Power of Women gala in Los Angeles diversity Courage Award, presented by Purina, honoring both issues simultaneously.

The award recognizes Hyland's strong advocacy for survivors of relationship abuse while building on Purina's Purple Leash program, which provides resources and support to help domestic violence shelters become pet-friendly so survivors can stay with pets. “I feel so honored,” Hyland said. “Many shelters don't allow pets and it's so important to figure out how to get out of the relationship and do that, especially with animals.” She adds that sometimes the pet can provide just the emotional support the survivor needs. However, fewer than 20% of domestic violence shelters in the United States currently allow pets.

“Many people who were in abusive relationships had pets,” she says. “Without my dog, I often wouldn’t have been able to get through. But at the same time…animals can be used as manipulation and also as a tactic. Their lives are then put at risk to try to hurt someone through an animal.”

It was just 10 years ago when Hyland filed a restraining order against her then-boyfriend of four years and Geek Charming co-star Matt Prokop. At that time, she obtained a restraining order that also extended to her dog because it had also been threatened. Supporting survivors and raising awareness of the outreach programs available to them is critical to them.

“We haven't talked about this for thousands of years. I don’t think the community shared enough,” she says. “And I feel like if we talk about it more, more women – and men and just people in general in abusive relationships – will feel more comfortable being able to talk to their loved ones about it, rather than letting their abuser isolate them is the first thing they do to prevent this community from happening. So we have to keep talking about it. It’s really important to be able to help those in need.”

The post-traumatic stress disorder caused by this abuse lasts long past the end of the relationship and remains “in that abused place of your soul where you think all the time it's your fault and you could have done better, you could have gotten out sooner , you could.” “I told people,” Hyland says. “It's almost like you don't want to talk about it anymore. They want it done, and it is. I completely understand the dissociation pattern. I have a lot of guilt myself…until something happens that triggers me and I don't realize that a part of me has been healed. I don't know if that part of a woman will ever fully heal from this. It's something that leaves a little scar on her soul. It’s more about giving that scar love instead of hating and ignoring it.”

Hyland's “Modern Family” co-star Julie Bowen couldn't be prouder of her former TV daughter, who has experienced personal healing and growth since her ordeal a decade ago. “Without adversity, there is no way to define one’s character and self-confidence,” Bowen said diversity. “Sarah’s journey has forced her to take on challenges – both physical and emotional – from a young age. She handled every moment with determination, grace and vulnerability. I'm so proud of it diversity recognizes her strength and her heart with that
Courage Award.”