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Modern Family star Ariel Winter, 27, reveals she was abused as a child in Hollywood which caused ‘trauma’

BBG News

Ariel Winter was abused as a child when working in Hollywood.

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but share this intriguing tidbit: The 27-year-old star, famously known for her role as Alex Dunphy on ABC’s beloved sitcom Modern Family, has revealed to DailyMail.com that she’s encountered advances from older gentlemen.

As a seasoned professional who entered Hollywood’s scene at an impressively tender age of four, I’ve gained firsthand insight into the male predators that unfortunately exist within this industry. This perspective serves as the foundation for my role in the captivating true crime docuseries on YouTube titled SOSA Undercover.

‘I prefer not to delve deeply into this matter, but at one point, I started receiving inappropriate communications from elderly men via my laptop and mobile phone. This experience left me with emotional scars.’

And she has gotten professional help to deal with the painful scars. 

As a child, my personal and virtual encounters left an indelible mark on me, prompting me to seek therapeutic help. The world of movies and television can often be a troubling realm.

Apart from discussing other matters, she likewise talked about the persistent criticism she faced regarding her physical appearance, which significantly impacted her psychological well-being. In her own words, “The focus on my body was an integral aspect of my adolescence.

At times, Winter was referred to as plump. “It seemed to envelop everything. It was in every news article about me,” Winter reminisced. “But let’s remember, I was only fourteen.

During her teenage years under public scrutiny, Winter admitted that she had been taking an antidepressant which led to a weight increase of about 30 pounds.

‘My mental health was my top priority,’ she said. 

She then had her prescription altered. 

Winter mentioned that she unintentionally shed a significant amount of weight, but this comment also faced criticism because people thought she looked excessively thin. The star emphasized that it was challenging for her to endure such consistent negative comments.

After leaving her hometown in Los Angeles, Winter embarked on a personal healing journey. She came to embrace herself, flaws and all. “I have wonderful people supporting me,” she added.

Additionally, she mentioned that as part of her desire to start a family, she felt it was necessary to mend past hurts.

Winter and her boyfriend Luke Benward moved out the state in 2020 for a quieter life.

‘I just left the city of LA because I wanted something new,’ she said.

I truly enjoy life outside of Los Angeles. It was refreshing to leave behind the rich history that sometimes felt overwhelming. Having more room, a larger garden, increased privacy, and the ability to live a simpler life has been fantastic.

Ariel dressed up as a blonde 12-year-old to nab a high-risk predator.

The seasoned actor joined covert missions with the charity organization, SOSA – Shielding from Internet Sexual Predators, for a real-life crime documentary series on YouTube titled “SOSA Undercover Ops.

In a police undercover operation in Oklahoma City, Ariel chose to disguise herself as a 12-year-old girl. This mission holds special significance for her due to her own past encounters.

Winter shared with DailyMail.com, “It truly feels rewarding to work alongside SOSA, understanding the impact I can bring about.

Pretending to be a 12-year-old and conversing with older individuals can feel intimidating at times, yet it provides a sense of accomplishment when you manage to identify and apprehend those who have been preying on youngsters.

Born into the world of entertainment, I’ve often found myself in the role of the one needing rescue. It’s deeply important to me to assist in shielding other young women from the hardships I personally encountered during my formative years.

In many digital spaces like photo-sharing apps, gaming sites, and social media, online predators are a common threat, making today’s teenagers potentially more at risk than before. SOSA collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies to pinpoint and apprehend child predators.

Winter told DailyMail.com that it was a lot of hard work finding and catching predators.

She shared with DailyMail.com that identifying individuals can be challenging, as they often go by pseudonyms and require thorough investigation to uncover their true identities. As research into those pursuing underage girls progresses, one encounters some disturbing realities.

I found it astonishing to discover such a large number of men seeking to converse with girls aged 12 and younger. The estimate suggests that this number could be in the hundreds of thousands.

These individuals appear to be ordinary, friendly neighbors – not suspicious characters. They’re often family men with pets, particularly dogs, which they frequently share photos of. Their conversations revolve around everyday life, giving an impression of kind-hearted men. However, it’s important to note that while they may seem sweet, there are concerning signs. They express interest in spending time with a 12-year-old girl and ask questions that border on inappropriate. It’s crucial to be aware of their presence even when they claim to be harmless.

A man, nearly forty years old, had the intention of accompanying an 11-year-old girl for bra shopping. This behavior is quite unusual and inappropriate.

Ariel also said it was ‘wild’ to see that the age men were attracted to was 12 to 14.  

Winter expressed that this entire ordeal is deeply saddening for him, considering the young ages of the girls involved and their encounters with significantly older men.

And she feels bad for the young girls who go online to find a friend.

According to Winter, children often seek relationships online due to feelings of loneliness or boredom, unaware that the individuals they connect with might be older adults posing as potential friends. Unfortunately, these individuals may have malicious intentions.

‘I like working with SOSA because it’s women helping women and I’ll do it as long as I can.’

Roo mentioned, “‘Ariel’s contribution to our platform is greatly appreciated as we are a small team of just five full-timers, and financially, we resemble more a library than many others.

According to Roo, Ariel is quite remarkable; she’s incredibly dedicated to our cause. Not only does she assist in tasks like taking out the trash, but she even joins us for meals, such as eating cold cheeseburgers with us.

2023 saw a staggering 36.2 million instances of suspected child sexual exploitation reported by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, marking a 12% rise compared to the prior year. As a dedicated follower and advocate for children’s rights, I stand firmly against such heinous acts and strive to raise awareness in my community about this growing issue.

In many local law enforcement agencies, there’s a lack of resources to effectively pretend to be minors online, which can make it challenging to catch internet predators. These offenders are becoming increasingly cunning, continually seeking evidence that the teenagers they approach are genuine.

SOSA’s skilled workforce constructs authentic narratives and settings, even setting up a complete decoy home, enabling their lesser-known characters to engage predators during video chats, foster trust, and supply law enforcement with the vital proof required for apprehensions.

SOSA’s influence goes beyond the realm of law enforcement – they boast an active following of over 1 million people on Instagram (@sosatogether) and TikTok (@sosatogether). Here, they disseminate information, promote educational resources, and spark awareness about various topics. Additionally, they offer a glimpse into their operations through behind-the-scenes content, aiming to empower parents and adolescents alike.

Last month saw the debut of SOSA UNDERCOVER on YouTube. Over 100,000 viewers have already subscribed to receive immediate updates and fresh episodes delivered every fortnight. While access is free, for a monthly fee of $5.99, you can enjoy uncensored full episodes, bonus content exclusive to subscribers, and an ad-free viewing experience – all in one convenient location. Don’t miss out; subscribe today on YouTube!

SOSA Undercover: A True Crime Documentary Unveiling the Risky Operations of SOSA Against Online Predators”

Explanation: This series is a true crime docuseries that delves into the thrilling undercover investigations conducted by SOSA (Safe from Online Sex Abuse), an organization that collaborates with law enforcement agencies to pursue and arrest online predators.

Instead of self-styled “predator catchers,” SOSA functions under strict legal rules, collaborating with ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) law enforcement personnel and district attorneys to make sure the evidence they gather can stand up in court.

Alongside the airing of documentaries on actual cases, SOSA Undercover will also provide educational resources and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, such as live streams with the team, cut footage, and additional content.

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2025-07-10 17:38

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