Sarah Hyland Assaulted By Male Fan At 'Modern Family' Event, Leaves In Tears

Sarah Hyland was reportedly assaulted by a male fan at an event celebrating Modern Family’s arrival in Australia, where they are shooting a special episode.

Sarah Hyland Groped By Male Fan

Hyland, 23, was at a Modern Family after-party hosted by Qantas Airlines in Sydney, Australia, when the incident occurred, on Thursday, Feb. 20. Hyland went outside to say hello to fans and take pictures with them. While she was interacting with fans, a man reportedly reached over and grabbed her breast. Hyland was reportedly able to push him away and yelled, “Don’t touch me there!” And her security was able to step in before the suspect could do any more harm to the actress. An emotional Hyland left immediately following the assault.

According to reports, the 29-year-old male was arrested and the investigation is currently ongoing. A spokesperson for the local police department confirmed that the man has been charged with assault, reporting, “A man has now [been] charged following the alleged incident assault of a woman yesterday. It is alleged that a man indecently assaulted the 23-year-old woman near Hickson Road, The Rocks, at about 7:50 p.m.”

Following the traumatic event, Hyland took to Twitter on Thursday to apologize for the fans she did not have a chance to greet personally, saying, “I had to leave due to an inappropriate touch of a fan.”

Sorry to all the fans outside the #qantas event that I didn’t get to say hi to but I had to leave due to an inappropriate touch of a fan

— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) February 20, 2014

An executive producer on the show told The Daily Mail that Hyland was doing fine following the incident.

Matt Prokop, Hyland’s Boyfriend, Comes To Her Defense

Hyland’s longtime boyfriend, actor Matt Prokop (High School Musical 3), who accompanied her to Australia, lashed out on Twitter after the incident. Prokop was understandably furious, but his outraged caused some backlash from Australian fans, who thought he was attacking all Australians instead of the man responsible.

Prokop first took to Twitter to express his anger, wishing harm on the man accused of the assault, writing, “I hope to God you don’t see next week.”

To the asshole who assaulted Sarah tonight I hope to God you don’t see next week.

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 20, 2014

All Sarah wanted to do tonight was say hi to the girls who were waiting outside one douche can ruin it for everyone. Goodnight.

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 20, 2014

After receiving some negative feedback for his violent words, Prokop stood his ground, saying, “Yes I believe someone who sexually assaults women or man for the matter deserves a s—t life.”

I’m done with twitter. Yes I believe someone who sexually assaults a women or man for the matter deserves a shit life. Piss off twitter.

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 20, 2014

A comment I made was taken out of context if you had people going after your girl you would get defensive as well. #sorrynotsorry

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 21, 2014

Prokop tried to rectify the situation, posting a Tweet praising his time in Australia to show that his original tweets were not meant as an insult to an entire nation, but it seems to have been too little too late for some, who continued to attack him.

Australia has been great. Beautiful city with such kind people…

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 21, 2014

@TGBAbandonware Hmm you seem lovely.

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 20, 2014

Finally, Prokop took to Twitter again on Friday, Feb. 21, to, once again, clarify his statements.

“I’m sorry you all took it out of context but at the end of the day I only care about Sarah’s safety and opinion no one else’s,” Prokop concluded.

Now I’m done. pic.twitter.com/9fobZPuEY4

— Matt Prokop (@mattpro13) February 21, 2014

Meanwhile, Hyland isn’t letting the incident ruin her trip.

“It’s amazing to be in a beautiful place such as Sydney, but especially to be here together,” she told MailOnline.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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