Ashton Kutcher has resigned as chairman of the board of Thorn, the anti-child sexual abuse organization he co-founded, the nonprofit announced in September. 15.
The decision follows an apology issued by him and his wife Mila Kunis following the release of character letters written in support of actor and That ’70s Show co-star Danny Masterson, who was previously convicted of rape. year and was sentenced this month to 30 years to life in prison.
“As you know, I have worked for 15 years fighting for people who have been sexually exploited,” Kutcher wrote in a Sept. 2 letter to the board. 14, which was published on the Thorn website. “Victims of sexual assault have historically been silenced, and the statement I have submitted is yet another painful example of the questioning of victims who are brave enough to share their experiences. This is exactly what we have all been working towards for the last decade.”
NBC News has reached out to Kutcher’s rep.
Kutcher’s resignation is effective immediately, Thorne said.
“This decision is based on recognition of recent events and ensuring that Thorn remains focused on its mission: creating technology to protect children from sexual abuse,” the organization said in a September release. 15 advertisements.
“We wouldn’t be the Thorne we are today without Ashton’s contributions. He has played a significant role in the impact we have made, and we are grateful for his participation over the past 15 years,” the organization also said.
Thorn was founded in 2012 by Kutcher and his then-wife Demi Moore.
Kutcher and Kunis faced backlash earlier this month after their letters were published confirming Masterson’s character.
In September, on February 7, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women.
Kutcher, 45, posted the video on Instagram on September 2. 9 with his wife Kunis, 40, in which they acknowledged the “pain caused by letters.”
“We stand with the victims,” Kunis said. “We have achieved this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future.”
Kutcher explained that a couple of months ago, Masterson’s family asked them to write character letters “that represented the man we’ve known for 25 years” so the judge could consider them when sentencing.
Other people who have written characteristic letters for Masterson include his wife Bijou Phillips, That ’70s Show stars Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, and actors Giovanni and Marissa Ribisi.
“The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the court system or the validity of the jury’s decision,” Kunis said.
“They were intended to be read by a judge,” Kutcher continued. “And not to undermine the victims’ testimony or re-traumatize them in any way. We never want to do that. And we are sorry if this happened.”
In May, Masterson, 47, was found guilty of kidnapping two women, identified as Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane Doe No. 2. No verdict was entered against the third accuser, Jane Doe No. 3, one of Masterson’s former girlfriends.
The letters from Masterson’s former colleagues were published in September. 8, a day after the actor was sentenced and after three women testified, detailing their experiences of being drugged and kidnapped by Masterson.
Both Kunis and Kutcher wrote in their characters’ letters that Masterson kept them away from drugs in Hollywood when they were young on the hit sitcom.
“Danny has always been a great role model,” Kutcher wrote. “I credit Danny for not falling into the typical Hollywood drug life.”
They went on to say that Masterson has now become an “extraordinary” family man.
“Danny’s role as a husband and father to his daughter has been outstanding,” Kunis wrote, calling his interactions with his daughter “heartwarming and enlightening.”
“He puts his family, education and happiness above all else, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to being a loving and responsible parent,” Kunis added. “As a father, he sets an example for her, instilling in her values that reflect honesty, compassion and respect for others.”
Kunis said she can “sincerely vouch for the exceptional character of Danny Masterson and the enormous positive impact he has had on me and the people around him.”
According to a Sept. 9 statement from NBC News. On August 8, Masterson’s legal team plans to file an appeal, maintaining the actor’s innocence.
“Mr. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted, and we and the appellate lawyers – the best and brightest in the country – are confident that these convictions will be overturned,” said Sean Holley, one of Masterson’s lawyers.
