Modern Family's Sarah Hyland is currently doing a promotional tour in Australia with the cast of the hit TV series. But something unsavoury has happened: the 23-year-old says she was assaulted on the red carpet.
Sarah, who plays Haley Dunphy on the programme, was at a party at the Siebel Pier One Hotel when a supposed 'fan' asked for her photograph. The 'fan' - since identified as serial autograph collector Nedel Lakmas - then apparently groped Sarah's breast, leaving her shaken and in tears.
There is video evidenceof Sarah saying 'don't touch me there' at Nedel - and pointing him out for her security detail to handle. Later, her boyfriend - who is travelling with her tweeted - 'To the asshole who assaulted Sarah tonight I hope to God you don't see next week.' Sarah herself took to instagram using the caption 'heaven and hell.'
The police have taken swift action. Lakmas, 29, was arrested overnight and charged with indecent assault. He will face court next month over the groping allegations. Considering that only 1 in 84 sexual offences reported to the police result in a conviction in Australia, it's almost - weirdly - quite heartening to see such decisive action. Then again, you can't help but wonder whether it's something to do with the fact the victim is a Emmy-award-nominated-actress with a huge social profile - who, quite rightly, is refusing to stay silent about what she feels was inappropriate behaviour.
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Picture: Corbis, matrixpictures.co.uk
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.