Doug Hutchison labeled a child molester on Couple’s Therapy for marriage to teen bride Courtney Stodden

Doug Hutchison has been accused of being a “child molester” on VH1 reality show Couple’s Therapy after he made headlines when at 49 he married the then 16-year-old Courtney Stodden two years ago.

The accusation was made by fellow cast member Nik Richie, who ironically was the founder of controversial website The Dirty – which aggressively critiques the appearance of women.

In this week’s episode of Couple’s Therapy, Richie and Hutchison were seen sitting down with a counselor in an attempt to douse the animosity between them.

The session starts with comments by lead therapist Dr. Jen Berman, who says that while she still questions the dynamics of Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison’s relationship, “what I do know is that if the animosity between Nik and Doug continues, it’s going to distract from everyone’s therapy”.

The two men sit down with resident counselor Thomas Carouso between them.

Getting straight to the point, Nik Richie tells Doug Hutchison: “The problem I have is, the underage union to me – and this is my personal belief – is just not right, dude.”

“You know what Nik?” replies Doug Hutchison, “I appreciate that, because a lot of people think the way you do.”

Doug Hutchison tries his hand at a path to common ground, saying: “For some reason, in our Western culture, people have a harder time, because this happens in France, in Italy, in the Middle East …”

“So you support that then?” interjects Nik Richie.

Doug Hutchison said: “I support marriage. The union of marriage.”

Nik Richie: “It’s hard for me to grasp Doug … between love – and touching a child. That’s what’s bothering me.”

He continues: “I just had a daughter. Doug, if you have a daughter and your daughter comes up to you and says, <<Hey I’m in love with a 51-year-old guy, and I’m 16 years old – Daddy can you take you to the DMV to get my license? But just so you know I’m getting married next week.>>

“What consent would you give her?”

“Play out this scenario,” reasons Doug Hutchison.

“Would you rather your daughter be with someone her age … who’s going to put her in danger, give her drugs, give her alcohol – or, would you prefer someone who was 51 years old, who has pure intentions, who is going to keep your daughter safe?”

Nik Richie: “You don’t find that creepy at all?”

“No I don’t, I’m sorry,” says Doug Hutchison.

Doug Hutchison made headlines when at 49 he married the then 16-year-old Courtney Stodden

Nik Richie’s disgust at his fellow cast member’s ethical choices are somewhat ironic, given he is the founder of a raunchy website called The Dirty, which features countless photographs of young women and frequently demeaning commentary.

Nik Richie made headlines when he married Shayne Lamas in Las Vegas just eight hours after meeting The Bachelor winner, and the reality star was later appalled to discover she had married the creator of The Dirty.

Doug Hutchison’s teenage bride Courtney Stodden, meanwhile, this week admitted on the show: “Sometimes I forget I’m married.”

“Because I am my age, I’m still learning,” says Courtney Stodden (who is now 18 but was 17 at the time of filming).

“Sometimes I get lost in all the attention.”

As the mediation session between Nik Richie and Doug Hutchison wraps up, the counselor asks Nik Richie whether he can accept Doug “as a human being” even if he can’t accept Doug’s choices.

“I don’t want to judge you for your actions, because in this house, honestly it’s none of my business,” says Nik Richie.

“I’m going to apologize for what I called you – in a derogatory way – what I said was a <<child molester>> … because maybe it came off a little harsh.”

But he was quick to add: “I still think it is a form of statutory rape … I just know in my mind I’m never gonna be OK with what you do.”