Former 7th Heaven actor Stephen Collins released a statement today admitting that he sexually abused three underage girls between 1973 and 1994.
Accusations have been flying against Collins since a recording of a therapy session was published earlier this year. In the recording, Collins talks about an inappropriate sexual encounter he had with an underage girl.
The actor said that he released a statement today because he didn’t want people to speculate about the truth.
Collins told People Magazine:
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 without the therapist’s or my knowledge or consent.
On the recording, I described events that took place 20, 32, and 40 years ago. The publication of the recording has resulted in assumptions and innuendos about what I did that go far beyond what actually occurred. As difficult as this is, I want people to know the truth.
I did have an opportunity to do so with one of the women, 15 years later. I apologized and she was extraordinarily gracious. 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.
CNN reports that in addition to releasing a statement to People Magazine, the actor will also sit down with an interview with Katie Couric.
It’s unclear if Stephen Collins will face any legal trouble for his actions since the most recent incident occurred more than 20 years ago. The actor’s career, however, has taken a hit. Reruns of 7th Heaven have been pulled. The actor was also dropped from Scandal and the upcoming Ted 2.
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