Say what you will about Ashton Kutcher’s acting career, but his off-screen efforts reveal a man of extraordinary compassion and determination.
For those unaware, Kutcher has been on a relentless mission to combat human trafficking, reportedly saving over 6,000 lives through his tireless advocacy and groundbreaking initiatives.
In 2012, Kutcher and his then-wife Demi Moore co-founded Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, an organization devoted to identifying and rescuing victims of child sex trafficking. What started as a dream to give a voice to the voiceless has grown into a powerful force fighting one of society’s most heinous crimes.
By 2017, Thorn’s collaboration with law enforcement had resulted in the identification of nearly 6,000 child sex trafficking victims and the rescue of 103 children whose abuse had been recorded and distributed. These staggering achievements demonstrate the organization’s impact in addressing this urgent issue.
5 facts about child sex trafficking that will help you make a difference | Thorn https://t.co/XmM1CCmoaE
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) September 21, 2020
Thorn focuses on developing cutting-edge technology to protect children from predators. With a dedicated team of full-time staff and contractors spanning more than 21 states, they’ve played a critical role in identifying and stopping over 6,600 perpetrators.
In an interview with 48 Hours, Kutcher described the organization’s mission:
“What we do at our core is build technology to fight the sexual exploitation of children. You can roll up your sleeves and try to save one person, or you can create a tool that empowers others to save many.”
View this post on Instagram
Speaking Out for the Voiceless
In 2017, Kutcher delivered a powerful speech to Congress, urging lawmakers to strengthen protections for vulnerable women and children worldwide.
“I’m here to defend the right to pursue happiness,” he declared. “This right is guaranteed by our Constitution, but for so many, it’s stripped away—through force, fraud, or coercion—and sold for someone else’s momentary pleasure.”
Kutcher’s words served as a rallying cry, shining a spotlight on the horrors of trafficking and the need for collective action to eradicate it.
Facing Criticism with Resolve
Despite the noble cause he champions, Kutcher has faced criticism from online detractors telling him to “stick to acting.” But he’s unfazed by such remarks, responding with unwavering clarity.
“I’ve seen video footage of a child, the same age as my own, being abused by an American man in Cambodia. This child was so conditioned by her environment that she believed it was play,” he shared in a deeply emotional statement.
He added, “I’ve been on calls where my team was asked to help because Homeland Security couldn’t locate a perpetrator who had been abusing a 7-year-old girl for three years, with that abuse circulating on the dark web. In those moments, my foundation became the last line of defense. That’s my day job, and I’m proud of it.”
Gratitude for a Champion
Ashton Kutcher’s commitment to this cause is nothing short of inspiring. His efforts remind us of the world we should all strive for—one where children are safe from exploitation and abuse.
If you feel moved to support Thorn and its mission, you can visit their website to contribute. Together, we can help ensure this vital work continues, bringing justice to perpetrators and safety to the innocent.
Share this story on Facebook if you, too, dream of a world free from human trafficking.