{"id":2034043,"date":"2023-09-15T22:30:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-16T02:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ashton-kutcher-resigns-from-sex-trafficking-charity-amid-masterson-support-letters-backlash\/"},"modified":"2023-09-15T22:34:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-16T02:34:00","slug":"ashton-kutcher-resigns-from-sex-trafficking-charity-amid-masterson-support-letters-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ashton-kutcher-resigns-from-sex-trafficking-charity-amid-masterson-support-letters-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashton Kutcher steps down from sex trafficking charity due to backlash over support for Masterson."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fashton-kutcher-resigns-from-sex-trafficking-charity-amid-masterson-support-letters-backlash%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2034043&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Actor Ashton Kutcher Resigns from Anti-Child \u2062Sex Abuse Nonprofit\u2064 Amid Controversy<\/h2>\n<p>Renowned actor and philanthropist Ashton Kutcher has made the decision to \u200cstep down from his position at\u2064 Thorn, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rhode-island-dems-push-to-teach-kids-about-pleasure-based-sexual-relations\/\" title=\"Rhode Island Dems Push To Teach Kids About \u2018Pleasure Based Sexual Relations\u2019\">nonprofit organization dedicated<\/a> to combating child \u200bsexual abuse. This move comes in the wake of criticism surrounding support letters that Kutcher and his wife, Mila Kunis, wrote for\u200b their \u2062former co-star Danny Masterson, who \u2064was\u2064 recently convicted\u200d of\u2063 rape.<\/p>\n<p>Kutcher acknowledged the \u2064importance of Thorn&#8217;s\u2064 unwavering focus on developing technology to protect children from sexual abuse. However, the letters of support for Masterson drew widespread attention and raised concerns about their potential impact on the victims and the credibility of their\u2064 testimony.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/legal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records-5492090\">Legal \u2062Nonprofit Helps Victims of Human Trafficking Expunge Criminal Records<\/a> -\u200b 9\/15\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/homeland-security-committee-says-biden-border-policies-increasing-child-sex-trafficking-5491843\">Homeland Security Committee Says Biden Border Policies Increasing Child Sex Trafficking<\/a> \u200c &#8211; 9\/14\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Reports \u2064indicate that\u200b Kunis, who also served as an observer on the Thorn board, has also resigned from her position. \u200dKutcher co-founded Thorn over a decade ago with his ex-wife, Demi Moore, and has been instrumental in the organization&#8217;s efforts to combat child exploitation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/los-angeles-county-sheriff-supports-recall-effort-against-d-a-gascon\/\" title=\"Los Angeles County Sheriff Supports Recall Effort Against D.A. Gasc\u00f3n\">human sex trafficking<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>Actors Mila Kunis (L) and Ashton Kutcher at the Zoe\u200d Saldana Walk of Fame Star Ceremony in \u2063Hollywood, Calif., on May 3, 2018. (Alberto E. Rodriguez\/Getty Images for Disney)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The controversy surrounding\u200c Kutcher and Kunis stems from their decision to provide character \u200creferences and advocate for leniency for\u2062 Masterson. This move sparked\u200b criticism and concern, particularly from those who believed it could\u2064 undermine the victims&#8217; testimony and cause further harm.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode post-related-videos\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In response to\u200c the public\u2064 outcry, Kutcher and Kunis released a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cw-6kG2PusA\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&#038;igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video \u200cstatement<\/a> on Instagram addressing the situation. Kutcher clarified that their intention with the letters was never to undermine \u2062the victims&#8217; testimony or cause \u2062further trauma. They were solely intended\u2064 for the judge&#8217;s consideration during the sentencing\u2063 process.<\/p>\n<p>Kunis emphasized their ongoing support for victims and their commitment to advocating for them. Despite their\u2063 resignation from Thorn, the organization acknowledged Kutcher&#8217;s significant contributions over the past 15 \u2063years in a \u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thorn.org\/blog\/an-update-from-thorn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement<\/a> on its website, highlighting their\u200c shared dedication to protecting children from sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>Danny Masterson speaks \u2062during a Launch Event for Netflix &#8220;The \u200cRanch: Part 3&#8221; \u200chosted by Ashton\u200d Kutcher and Danny Masterson at Tequila Cowboy in Nashville, Tenn., on June 7, 2017. (Anna Webber\/Getty Images for Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Thorn Board, dated Sept.\u2064 14, Kutcher expressed his deep commitment to defending victims of sexual abuse and cited recent events as the catalyst for his \u200dresignation. He apologized to all victims, Thorn&#8217;s staff, and the broader advocacy community for any harm caused.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The mission must always be the priority, and I want to offer my heartfelt apology to all victims of\u200b sexual violence \u2064and everyone at Thorn who I hurt\u2063 by what I did,&#8221; wrote Kutcher. &#8220;And to the broader advocacy community, I am deeply sorry. I remain proud of what we have accomplished in the past \u2064decade\u200d and will continue to support Thorn&#8217;s work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Thorn has been at the forefront of child safety initiatives, proactively developing technology to protect children from sexual abuse. Their tools have aided in the identification of over 27,000\u200d children in need of assistance and the removal of millions of potential child sexual abuse files\u2064 from \u200dthe internet. The organization \u200bhas also\u200d empowered parents and\u200d youth with prevention tools, shaped protective policies, and conducted research\u200c to enhance \u200cunderstanding and prevention \u2063of child sexual \u2063abuse.<\/p>\n<p>Ernie Allen, a board member at Thorn, commended Kutcher&#8217;s dedication to child protection, \u2062stating, &#8220;He has been a strong champion for children and worked tirelessly to\u200d protect them from sexual abuse. He made a\u2063 difference.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Despite recent challenges, Thorn\u2063 remains\u2064 steadfast in its mission, mindful of the trust placed\u2064 in \u2064them by the community, and confident in their collective dedication to the children they serve.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How does Thorn utilize technology to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judiciary-committee-approves-bill-holding-big-tech-firms-accountable-for-child-sexual-abuse-material\/\" title=\"Bill to Hold Big Tech Firms Accountable for Child Sexual Abuse Material Approved by Judiciary Committee.\">combat child sexual abuse<\/a> and \u200ctrafficking?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Rom sexual exploitation and\u200c trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>Thorn, which uses technology to identify and \u200drescue victims of child sexual abuse, was founded in 2009 with\u2064 the mission of leveraging advancements \u2064in technology to combat this heinous\u200d crime.\u2063 Kutcher played a pivotal role in \u2063developing \u200cand implementing\u200b innovative \u2063tools to identify and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ashton-kutcher-resigns-from-sex-trafficking-charity-amid-masterson-support-letters-backlash\/\" title=\"Ashton Kutcher steps down from sex trafficking charity due to backlash over support for Masterson.\">track online child exploitation networks<\/a>.\u200c His\u2063 passion for the \u200dcause was evident in his hands-on approach and his dedication to creating a safer world for children.<\/p>\n<p>The decision to resign from Thorn indicates Kutcher&#8217;s commitment to accountability and the recognition of the potential harm \u2063caused by his support for Masterson. Despite his good intentions, the \u2064letters\u2062 of support gave rise\u2063 to legitimate concerns about the impact on\u200d the victims\u2062 and \u200bthe credibility of their testimonies.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, Kutcher&#8217;s\u200c contributions to\u200c Thorn should not be overshadowed by this controversy. The\u200d organization released\u2062 a statement expressing \u2063gratitude for his\u2062 incredible work over the past 15 years.\u200d They\u2062 acknowledged his tireless efforts and the significant strides made in protecting children from exploitation.<\/p>\n<p>The controversial nature of this situation raises broader questions about \u2064the responsibility of celebrities \u200cand public figures in advocating\u2062 for\u2064 individuals\u200b accused of crimes. While it is important to \u2063support\u200d the principles \u2062of due process and the right to a fair\u2064 trial, it is equally\u2062 crucial to\u2062 consider \u200dthe potential implications on the survivors\u200c and victims.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately,\u2062 the decision to step down from\u200d Thorn \u200creflects Kutcher&#8217;s commitment to prioritizing the\u2062 well-being of survivors and victims of \u200dchild sexual abuse. It highlights the importance of accountability, even for philanthropists and those involved \u200bin advocacy work.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/legal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records-5492090\">Legal \u2062Nonprofit Helps Victims\u200b of Human Trafficking \u200cExpunge Criminal Records<\/a> -\u200b 9\/15\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/homeland-security-committee-says-biden-border-policies-increasing-child-sex-trafficking-5491843\">Homeland\u2063 Security Committee Says Biden \u2063Border \u200bPolicies\u2063 Increasing Child Sex Trafficking<\/a> \u200c &#8211; 9\/14\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is essential\u200d that organizations such as Thorn continue their crucial work in \u2062protecting vulnerable\u200c children \u2064from the horrors of sexual exploitation. \u200cThe resignation of Kutcher and Kunis should serve as a\u2064 reminder that the fight against\u200c child sexual abuse requires\u2062 a multifaceted and collaborative approach.<\/p>\n<p>Ashton Kutcher&#8217;s decision to step down from Thorn amid controversy demonstrates the complexities and challenges associated with public figures engaging in advocacy and support for \u2062individuals involved in criminal matters. The incident highlights the need for careful consideration \u200dand \u200dsensitivity when lending one&#8217;s voice and \u2062influence to such cases.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the focus should remain on the victims and \u200bsurvivors who have bravely\u2064 come forward\u2063 to share their\u200c experiences and seek justice. \u200dTheir\u2063 voices must be heard and respected as society works together to combat\u2063 child sexual abuse and ensure safer, more secure futures for all children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Actor and philanthropist Ashton Kutcher stepped down from his anti-child sex abuse nonprofit due to backlash over support letters he and wife Mila Kunis wrote for their ex-&#8220;That &#8217;70s Show&#8221; co-star Danny Masterson, who faced rape charges. Kutcher recognized the importance of Thorn&#8217;s unwavering dedication to its mission.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":618,"featured_media":2034044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2034043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/618"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2034043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034043\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2034044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2034043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2034043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2034043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}