Ashton Kutcher quits anti-child-sex-abuse group due to backlash over support for Danny Masterson.
Ashton Kutcher Steps Down as Board Chair of Anti-Sex-Abuse Organization
OAN’s Abril Elfi
6:07 PM – Friday, September 15, 2023
Actor Ashton Kutcher has resigned as the board chair of Thorn, an organization fighting against sexual abuse, following backlash for supporting his former co-star Danny Masterson.
On Friday, the 45-year-old star wrote a letter of resignation to the board of the organization Thorn which was later shared on the organization’s website. Kutcher stepped down after he faced backlash over his letters of support for his former co-star Masterson who has been convicted of raping two women.
“Victims of sexual abuse have been historically silenced and the character statement I submitted is yet another painful instance of questioning victims who are brave enough to share their experiences,” Kutcher wrote. “After my wife and I spent several days of listening, personal reflection, learning, and conversations with survivors and the employees and leadership at Thorn, I have determined the responsible thing for me to do is resign as Chairman of the Board, effectively immediately, I cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve.”
He continued by apologizing to the victims for his “inconsideration and for letting them down.”
“The mission must always be the priority and I want to offer my heartfelt apology to all victims of sexual violence and everyone at Thorn who I hurt by what I did,” he wrote to the board. “And to the broader advocacy community, I am deeply sorry. I remain proud of what we have accomplished in the past decade and will continue to support Thorn’s work. Thank you for your tireless advocacy and dedication to this cause.”
This past May, Masterson was convicted on two of three forcible rape charges and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in early September. He was accused of raping three women in his Hollywood Hills home between the years 2001 to 2003, while he played the character “Steven” on That 70’s Show, his most notable role.
Kutcher, his wife Mila Kunis, and several other former fellow cast members of That ’70s Show were among the people who wrote letters of support for Masterson during the sentencing phase of his trial.
In his support letter, Kutcher referred to his co-star as “an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being,” who had helped keep him away from drugs and “always treated people with decency, equality, and generosity.”
After the letters were made public, Kutcher, Kunis, and other supporters faced swift backlash, with Kutcher receiving special derision due to his campaigning on behalf of child sex-trafficking victims.
The actor and his wife released a video in which they tried to explain they were supporting a friend and did not mean to discredit or retraumatize rape victims, but their attempt to apologize just generated more backlash towards them.
According to journalist Yashar Ali, one of the victims texted him the following reaction and said “This video was incredibly insulting and hurtful. My hope is that they learn radical accountability and the importance of self-education to learn when to keep their privilege in check — especially Ashton, who claims to work with victims of sex crimes. And as to Mila, I can only think of ‘Times Up.’”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Other News:
- UAW goes on strike, while AOC’s constituents tell her to Close the Border.
- CA Bill AB 957 is headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The bill would require judges in child custody cases to consider whether a parent has affirmed a child’s gender.
- In the second part of an exclusive interview, Representative James Comer says Devon Archer’s testimony of a 2015 meeting at Joe Biden’s vice-presidential residence with Hunter Biden and a Kazakh banker is yet more “direct evidence” of corruption.
- A Virginia grandmother sues the Appomattox school district over the school secretly transitioning her granddaughter Sage Blair.
- LONDON (Reuters) -The European Commission launched an investigation on Wednesday into whether to impose punitive tariffs to protect European Union automakers against…
- By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) – ABB is spending $280 million on a new robotics factory in Sweden, the Swiss engineering and…
- PARIS (Reuters) – French Europe Minister Laurence Boon on Wednesday welcomed an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles launched by the EU…
- By Mathieu Rosemain and Silvia Aloisi PARIS (Reuters) – Apple said on Wednesday its iPhone 12 model was certified by multiple international…
rnrn
What is the mission of Thorn and how does it utilize technology to combat child sexual exploitation and trafficking?
Iheartthescream/status/187781020405864960?s=20″>#MeToo movement https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23MeToo%20since%3A2011-12-31%20until%3A2012-01-01&src=typd”>#MeToo pic.twitter.com/8xAZyxQx
The backlash against Kutcher began when it was revealed that he had submitted a character statement in support of Masterson during his ongoing criminal trial. Masterson, best known for his role in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” was charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently awaiting trial.
Kutcher’s statement sparked outrage among survivors of sexual abuse and activists, who felt that by supporting Masterson, he was undermining the experiences of the victims. Many called for his resignation from Thorn, an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable children from sexual exploitation and abuse.
In his resignation letter, Kutcher acknowledged his mistake and expressed remorse for his actions. He recognized the importance of prioritizing the mission of the organization and ensuring that the voices of survivors are heard and respected.
Thorn was founded by Kutcher and his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore, in 2009. The organization uses technology to combat child sexual exploitation and trafficking. Over the years, Thorn has collaborated with law enforcement agencies, tech companies, and NGOs to identify and rescue victims and prosecute traffickers.
Despite Kutcher’s resignation, Thorn remains committed to its mission and will continue its work to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The organization released a statement expressing appreciation for Kutcher’s contributions and dedication over the past decade.
Sexual abuse and exploitation are pervasive issues that require sustained effort and collaboration to address effectively. The actions and statements made by influential individuals, such as Kutcher, have a significant impact on public perception and the experiences of survivors. It is crucial for those in positions of power to demonstrate accountability and support for victims and survivors.
As society continues to navigate the complex and sensitive issue of sexual abuse, organizations like Thorn play a crucial role in raising awareness, providing resources, and advocating for systemic change. It is vital for individuals and institutions to actively engage in these efforts and ensure that survivors are heard and supported.
Kutcher’s resignation serves as a reminder that no one is immune from making mistakes or facing consequences for their actions. It is an opportunity for reflection and growth, both personally and as a society. The important work of organizations like Thorn should not be overshadowed by the actions of individuals but should serve as a catalyst for necessary change.
Ultimately, the fight against sexual abuse and exploitation requires collective action and a commitment to creating a safe and just society for all. It is essential that organizations, individuals, and communities work together to dismantle systems that perpetuate harm and support survivors on their journey to healing and justice.
