Ashton Kutcher Steps Down from Nonprofit After Danny Masterson Support Backlash
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Ashton Kutcher is still dealing with the ripple effects of the heavy public backlash he's been receiving lately.
Earlier this month, news broke that Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis sent letters in support of their former That '70s Show co-star, Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in his rape trial.
As a result of the letters being revealed to the public, Kutcher, 45, and Kunis, 40, have become the subject of severe online criticism, which has now led the Your Place or Mine actor to step down from his position as chairman of the board of Thorn, an anti-child sex abuse organization he co-founded with former wife Demi Moore in 2009.
In the letter dated Thursday, Sept. 14, 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."
The statement, shared to the organization's website, continued, "I cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve."
"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 continued, adding, "This is precisely what we have all worked to reverse over the last decade."
In the end of Kutcher's note, he expressed his regret while offering a "heartfelt apology to all victims of sexual violence and everyone at Thorn who I hurt by what I did."
However, he insisted, "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," his message concluded.
Next: How Danny Masterson's Wife Bijou Phillips Responded to His Lengthy Prison Sentence
