Ashton Kutcher, along with his wife Mila Kunis, has resigned from the board of Thorn, an anti-child sexual abuse charity he co-founded. Kutcher, who served as the chair, announced his immediate departure in a letter posted on the organization’s website. Similarly, Kunis, who held an observer role on the board, concluded her tenure at the same time.
The decision comes amidst mounting criticism of the couple’s public support for their fellow actor Danny Masterson, who was recently convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape. Both Kutcher and Kunis provided character references for Masterson during his trial, leading to widespread backlash.
In their Instagram video apology over the weekend, the couple expressed regret for the pain caused by their letters and acknowledged the impact on the victims’ testimonies. However, questions arose regarding their continued involvement with Thorn, an influential force in the fight against global child sexual exploitation.
In his resignation letter, Kutcher reiterated his apology and emphasized the need to prioritize Thorn’s mission and the well-being of the children they serve. He expressed deep regret for any harm caused and extended his gratitude to the advocacy community.
Thorn acknowledged Kutcher’s substantial contributions to their work, citing his instrumental role in removing over 2 million potential child sexual abuse files from the open web with the help of the tech industry. The charity affirmed its unwavering commitment to its mission, even amidst recent challenges.
Board member Suzanne Bell praised Kutcher’s unwavering dedication to Thorn, emphasizing his pivotal role in the organization’s journey. The charity expressed confidence in their collective dedication to serving children and reiterated their commitment to the cause.