Actress speaks out about ex-boyfriend’s terrifying abuse

When Sarah Hyland split from her long-term boyfriend Matthew Prokop two months ago, her fans were devastated. But she soon revealed that the relationship hadn't been as happy as others had believed. 

The Modern Family actress filed for a restraining order from Matthew back in September, stating that he had continually verbally and physically abused her while they were together, at one point holding her throat with "a grip so tight that [she] could not breath or speak."

Sarah has since been granted a three-year order stipulating that Matthew cannot be within 100 yards of her, her house or her place of work at any time. Now for the first time, the actress has spoken out about her attempts to move on.

In an appearance on The Meredith Vieira Show, the 23-year-old opened up about moving beyond her pain, referencing lines from two of her favourite poets.

"There are two quotes that I want to say," the actress began. "One is a Dylan Thomas poem, ‘Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light,’ which is one of my favourite poems.  It just strikes a chord in me. And also Robert Frost, 'The only way out is through.'"

Although she did not directly reference Matthew when asked about dealing with an abusive relationship, Sarah finished by saying, "People have to go through things in order to become the person they are today, and that's that."

Watch the full clip below: