Stephen Collins Confesses Sexual Abuse of Underage Girls to PEOPLE

[reprise85]

Stephen Collins Confesses Sexual Abuse of Underage Girls to PEOPLE: 'I Did Something Terribly Wrong'

(note: He's the dad from 7th Heaven)

Embattled actor Stephen Collins has released a lengthy statement to PEOPLE in which he admits to inappropriate sexual contact with three female minors.

The 67-year-old – who has remained out of the public eye ever since a recording of him confessing to child molestation was released to TMZ – goes into detail about the incidents that occurred over a 20-year time span. In vivid detail, Collins explains how there were three victims from 1973 to 1994, and how "I have not had an impulse to act out in any such way" in the last 20 years.

Collins also writes about why he hasn't apologized directly to the women he once assaulted.

"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."

The 7th Heaven actor – who will sit down with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric for an in-depth interview based on his PEOPLE essay (this will stream on Yahoo! and air Friday on 20/20 on ABC) – goes on to acknowledge how he has "agonized" over whether to make a direct apology to the women he violated.

"I did have an opportunity to do so with one of the women, 15 years later. I apologized and she was extraordinarily gracious," said Collins, who remains in a protracted divorce battle with Grant. "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."

more: http://www.people.com/article/stephe...sion-exclusive

[reprise85]

my thoughts:

1. deserves to be in prison even though statute of limitations is over

2. mixed feelings about him talking about it. doesnt seem like he ever would have if not for the recordings that came out. he also seems to be making some excuses w/r/t exposure being his wife's fault. no, it is his fault for doing it in the first place.

3. however, it still means something that he confessed, feels remorse, and has been in therapy for 20 years

4. it is true that talking to victims directly can be damaging, but it's still awfully convenient for him

For what it's worth, as a victim, if that person(s) came to me with genuine remorse and would answer questions about what happened etc, I think I would ultimately benefit from that a lot. But, everyone is different, and I've been in therapy for a long time.

I may end up working with some offenders like this eventually, so this is interesting to me.

[MyOneAndOnly]

who in the fuck is Stephen Collins?

[FoolofaTook]

he's a pedophile.

[reprise85]

Originally Posted by scottytheoneand

who in the fuck is Stephen Collins?

the dad from 7th heaven

[Trotskilicious]

i say we forgive him, he knows what he did was wrong and he is white

[Order 66]

not to diminsih the victims and all .. but imagine how much it sucks for th cast of that show. thinking the syndication residuals are going to keep coming in to pay the car note maybe you can get a new condo in a few years all of a sudden that gravy train goes sceeeeeech and now you have to go to real estate school or something

[The exploding boy]

Well at least Jessica Biel doesn't need the money.

[reprise85]

Originally Posted by Order 66

not to diminsih the victims and all .. but imagine how much it sucks for th cast of that show. thinking the syndication residuals are going to keep coming in to pay the car note maybe you can get a new condo in a few years all of a sudden that gravy train goes sceeeeeech and now you have to go to real estate school or something

for sure, it sucks for them

[duovamp]

At least he didn't kill his wife after he told her.

[MyOneAndOnly]

what in the bloody hell is 7th Heaven? Is it the sequel to Highway To Heaven?

http://hth.homestead.com/files/images/ml2.jpg

[Trotskilicious]

Originally Posted by The exploding boy

Well at least Jessica Biel doesn't need the money.

are you sure about that

[Eulogy]

Isn't she married to Justin timberlake

She will be fine

[duovamp]

See now that's just sexist.

[Trotskilicious]

not really, the society is sexist and those are the breaks

once women get old they get thrown away by hollywood. with dudes, oh they get CUTER omGGZZZ jeorge CLEOONNEY

[Trotskilicious]

and i didn't know she was j tims special lady friend but they'll get divorced at some point

the other actors in this show not that lucky

[The exploding boy]

If you can act you don't get thrown out. See Helen Mirren, Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett (shes not old old but shes in her 40s...), the list goes on

It's perfectly fine to throw Jessica Biel level actresses out. They should expect it too.


Of course they should also throw out the good looking guys that can't act too...

[Trotskilicious]

madeline stowe was pretty good

faye dunaway was amazing and got bit parts once her face was leather

[yo soy el mejor]

don't forget morgan fairchild

[yo soy el mejor]

and thought this thread said stephen colbert for a hot second

[vixnix]

As Cher said 'if I could turn back time!'.

I'm sure he would, and he 'd refrain from his vile acts. But we can't, so

Did the crime, should do the time.

[hnibos]

Originally Posted by The exploding boy

Of course they should also throw out the good looking guys that can't act too...

They should def not throw Channing Tatum.

[The exploding boy]

Yes they should.

For one the idea that anyone finds him good looking is puzzling. He's an ape.

[The Omega Concern]

Originally Posted by yo soy el mejor

and thought this thread said stephen colbert for a hot second

heh...i pictured Stephen Baldwin at first.

[duovamp]

Originally Posted by The exploding boy

Yes they should.

For one the idea that anyone finds him good looking is puzzling. He's an ape.

Racist.

[The exploding boy]

It's true i hate white people.

[duovamp]

White devil is the preferred nomenclature.