Kay Hansen: MMA was escape after 'I was raped and sexually assaulted by my father as a teenager for years'

Former UFC fighter Kay Hansen opened up about trauma she says she experienced during her rise as a youth athlete to a teenage professional fighter and beyond.

“My successes and struggles have all been in the public eye for many years, but everyone has a story behind the scenes,” Hansen wrote on social media Tuesday with a link to a new mini-documentary video. “I was raped/SA [sexually assaulted] by my father as a teenager for years. Fighting/training was my escape, and the only form of reality I really had control over.”

The 23-minute video project created by the team of Jorge Barbosa, Cynthia Vance and Mark Johnston, among others, in conjunction with Invicta FC released Tuesday. The documentary paints a harrowing and emotional journey that led Hansen to separate herself from her father, who served as her longtime coach, and emotional relief and a rebuilding process afterward.

“I never spoke up about the abuse I endured due to the fear of repercussions that may follow,” Hansen wrote. “I tell my story, not to ‘help people get to know me,’ but to use the platform my sport has given me to inspire courage in someone who is, or once was, in a similar situation. Sexual abuse is far too common, but often times swept under the rug. You do not have to go through this alone. You deserve peace and justice. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Check out the documentary in full above.

Hansen, 23, has not competed since her UFC departure in 2022 after a 1-3 stint. After her release from the UFC, she signed with Invicta FC, but hasn’t fought for the promotion yet in her return. Eight of her first nine pro fights were under the Invicta banner. Hansen entered the UFC when she wass 21, making her one of the youngest women to compete in the promotion’s history.