Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis apologise after supporting rapist Danny Masterson

The couple has insisted they support victims and have apologised on social media.
The couple has insisted they support victims and have apologised on social media. Photo credit: Getty Images

Warning: This story discusses rape and sexual assault.

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have released a video as they face backlash following their support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson. 

The couple, who appeared alongside Masterson in the well-known sitcom, That 70's Show, shared a video to Instagram insisting they "support victims".  

"We are aware of the pain that has been caused by the character letters that we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson," Kutcher said. 

"We support victims. We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future," his wife, Kunis, added. 

They then explained Masterson's family had requested the pair "write character letters to represent the person we knew for 25 years so that the judge could take that into consideration - relative to the sentencing." 

Kutcher added the letters were "intended for the judge to read" and not written to "undermine the testimony of the victims or re-traumatise them in any way". 

"We are sorry if that has been the case." 

"Our heart goes out to every single person who has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape," Kunis added.  

It comes after Masterson, 47, was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two rapes he committed in 2003. 

The assaults occurred on separate incidents between 2001 and 2003, while he was still starring on That '70s Show. 

Following the decision, Kutcher and Kunis' letters to Los Angeles Superior Court Charlaine Olmedo were made public, where Kutcher described his former co-star as "nothing but a positive influence" and "an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being". 

Kutcher added he didn't believe Masterson is an "ongoing harm to society". 

"He demonstrates grace and empathy in every situation, be it within the entertainment industry or in our personal lives," Kunis wrote. 

According to news.com.au, Masterson is waiting to be transferred to a California State prison. 

He won't be eligible for parole until he is 77 years old. 

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