Months after a tape was leaked revealing that 7th Heaven alum, Stephen Collins, 67, had apparently sexually abused multiple underage girls spanning a time period of 20 years from 1973-1994, the actor has released a lengthy statement to People magazine admitting the allegations are true.
In the statement, Collins makes it clear that there were only the three victims and since the last incident in 1994, he has “not had an impulse to act in any such way” again.
He begins his statement by referring to the tape that was released back in October, “Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since. I’ve decided to address these issues publicly because two months ago, various news organizations published a recording made by my then-wife, Faye Grant, during a confidential marriage therapy session in January, 2012. This session was recorded with the therapist’s or my knowledge or consent.”
Collins then goes on to reveal that as “difficult as this is” he made the statement in order for “people to know the truth” because media had misconstrued what had actually happened in reference to him as a child molester as well as address the subject of “agonizing” over whether to personally apologize to his victims.
“I did have an opportunity to [apologize to] one of the women, 15 years later. I apologized and she was extraordinarily gracious,” continued Collins.
“But after I learned in the course of my treatment that my being direct about such matters could actually make things worse for them by opening old wounds, I have not approached the other two women, one of whom is now in her 50s and the other in her 30s.”
Along with the statement which will appear in full in Friday’s issue of People, the actor will also be doing a sit down interview with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric based on his statement to the magazine.
The in-depth interview will stream on Yahoo! and air Friday December 19 on 20/20 on the ABC network.
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Telisa Carter
Telisa enjoys learning and writing about all things entertainment in the world of Hollywood. When she isn't catching up on her favorite TV shows, she likes to read, and obsess over all things football.
