Ariel Winter is widely recognized as the sharp-tongued, brainy Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, but her own personal journey is nowhere close to the realm of sitcoms. Now in her 27th year, Winter is sharing her trauma and turning it into a higher calling that exceeds Hollywood.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
A brief overview
From sitcom star to real-world crusader
The Ariel Winter abuse story has gone from silent suffering to bold advocacy. Instead of running from the traumatic experiences of her youth, Winter has taken bold steps into real life, posing as a 12-year-old girl to capture online predators in the act.
She has become the new face of SOSA Undercover, a YouTube docuseries that follows the real-time operations of SOSA (Safe from Online Sexual Abuse), a nonprofit that trains law enforcement to track, expose, and stop child predators online.
Going undercover source: not just a role
Winter not only narrates the series, but she also goes undercover. She disguises her likeness, uses different wigs, and uses a disguised voice to become a fragile, innocent 12-year-old girl during sting operations. As she goes undercover, Winter goes side-by-side with trained investigators.
“It’s empowering to know we’re putting predators behind bars,” the actress explained. “It’s scary sometimes pretending to be a child and talking to grown men, but I know I’m helping change lives.”
And the cause is personal. “I was the kid we’re trying to save,” Winter explained. Having been raised in the entertainment world, she’s saying that sure sounds like inappropriate actions from adults began as early as age four.
Disturbing Details of Ariel Winter Abuse Cringe
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Winter explains the impact of her experiences with abuse and harassment while on Hollywood sets. “I was sexually sent inappropriate messages from grown men when I was a child,” she said. “It left baggage I carry today.”
Her trauma wasn’t limited online. “At 14, I was being called ‘fat’ in headlines and online comments. And then, when I was thinner, I was called ‘too thin.” I gained 30 pounds in high school from being prescribed antidepressants and suffered body-shaming for being both too fat and then too thin.
“But, my mental health was more important than public opinion.” “I’ve gone through a real healing process, and now I am around people who lift me up.”
Predators Behind Screens: The Work of SOSA
From working at SOSA, Winter has learned how prevalent online exploitation of children is. “I was shocked by how many adult men want to talk to girls that are 12 or younger.” she said. “They look like normal guys-married with kids, and showing pics of their dogs.”
Predators have fake names and have sweet personalities. SOSA digs into the depths of identifying who these people really are. “It’s dark,” Winter said. “But, the work we do has meaning.”
Women who protect women: Why she is doing it
“I love working with SOSA, because it’s only women helping women.” Winter said, “I will keep doing this for as long as I can.”
SOSA is more than just a grassroots thing-it’s a coordinated group with prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement officers. They build fake personas and video chat with suspects and then create decoy homes to catch predators in their dirty acts.
SOSA’s founder, Ro, referred to Winter’s involvement as: “Ariel is great. She does everything, including trash duty, and cold burgers with us on watch. We ate together.”
Did Ariel’s courage inspire you? Check out our collection of home and lifestyle products, referenced in observance of safe, taken spaces for all.
