- Ashton Kutcher Resigns from Child Sexual Abuse Combat Organization
- Controversy Over Support Letter for Danny Masterson
- Kutcher’s Apology and the Impact on Thorn’s Mission
Ashton Kutcher has resigned from the organization he founded to combat child sexual abuse, following an uproar over a letter of support sent to a judge following Danny Masterson’s conviction for rape.
Kutcher stated in his resignation letter to the charity Thorn that his support letter was an “error in judgment.”
Masterson was given a sentence ranging from 30 years to life for the assaults of two women.
Mila Kunis, wife of actor Ashton Kutcher, sent a similar letter.
Advocates and victims criticised Kutcher and Kunis, who co-starred with Masterson on That 70s Show, for their letters and apologies.
Kutcher stated in a resignation letter addressed to the board of Thorn and posted online that his decision to step down from the board is “based on the recognition of recent events.”
Kutcher stated in his resignation letter, “After my wife and I spent several days of listening, personal reflection, learning, and conversations with survivors and Thorn employees and leadership, I have determined that the responsible thing for me to do is to resign as chairman of the board, effective immediately.”
“I cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve,” he continued.
Kutcher and Demi Moore created Thorn in 2012 to combat child sexual exploitation.
The organisation emphasises the Internet’s role in child sexual abuse and sexual enslavement. The group claims to have found 27,000 child victims and removed over two million sexually harmful materials off the internet.
In his resignation letter, Kutcher stated that his letter of support for Masterson, in which he described him as someone who treated people with “decency” and “generosity”, was “yet another painful instance of questioning victims who are brave enough to share their experiences”.
“This is precisely what we have all worked to reverse over the last decade,” he continued.
