Ashton Kutcher resigns from anti-child intercourse abuse organisation after backlash over Danny Masterson letter
Ashton Kutcher has resigned as chairman of the board of Thorn, the anti-child intercourse abuse organisation he co-founded in 2009.
His spouse Mila Kunis, who served as an observer on Thorn’s board, can also be stepping down, Time journal report.
It comes following widespread condemnation of their letters of help to their That 70s Show co-star, Danny Masterson, who was just lately convicted of raping two girls.
In a letter to the organisation, Kutcher mentioned the letters that he and his spouse wrote have been an “error in judgement”.
“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,” he mentioned.
“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.”
The stars have been hit with a backlash after the letters, which asked the judge for leniency when sentencing Masterson, have been made public.
In his letter, Kutcher had described Masterson as a “dedicated and loyal” husband and father.
In her letter, Kunis wrote: “Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me.”
The pair later said “sorry” in a video, saying they did not imply to “undermine the testimony of the victims” and apologised if that they had “retraumatised them in any way”.
Kutcher and Kunis met Masterson on That 70s Show.
Masterson was found guilty of raping two women and sentenced to 30 years to life behind bars.