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.
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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.'
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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.
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
Picture: Corbis, matrixpictures.co.uk
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.