Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Thorn, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating child sexual abuse, has made the decision to step down as chairman. This comes in the wake of intense criticism directed at him for his support of his former co-star Danny Masterson. Masterson was recently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape.
Kutcher and his wife, actress Mila Kunis, had written letters to a judge seeking leniency in Masterson’s sentencing. These letters quickly sparked controversy and received significant backlash from the public. People questioned Kutcher’s judgment and his support for someone convicted of such heinous crimes.
Attempting to address the growing controversy, Kutcher and Kunis took to Instagram to post a video where they spoke candidly about the situation. They expressed regret for their actions and apologized for any pain their support may have caused. However, their video did little to quell the anger and disappointment from fans and advocacy groups.
In light of the ongoing controversy, Kutcher has decided to resign from Thorn. In a letter to the organization’s board, he stated that he does not want his “error in judgment” to overshadow the important work Thorn does in combating child sexual abuse. It is clear that Kutcher believes stepping down is the best course of action to ensure the organization’s mission remains the primary focus.
Meanwhile, Masterson, now 47 years old, was found guilty of raping two women in the early 2000s. He received the maximum penalty for his crimes and was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. While the victims may find some solace in the verdict, they will have to wait for another 20 years before Masterson becomes eligible for parole.
Ashton Kutcher’s departure from Thorn and the controversy surrounding his support for Masterson’s leniency plea have shaken many. It remains to be seen how Thorn will move forward without its co-founder at the helm. The organization’s main goal of combating child sexual abuse must stay at the forefront as it navigates this turbulent time.
