Stephen Collins confesses to sexual misconduct with minors

In 2014, an audio recording surfaced in the United States revealing that actor Stephen Collins had purportedly confessed during a counseling session to committing sexual misconduct with underage girls. The conversation, which took place in 2012, was later leaked and shared by TMZ, instigating a major public scandal surrounding the once-beloved star of '7th Heaven'. In the recording, Collins expressed deep remorse for events that took place decades prior, claiming he had been working on atoning for his actions since. He emphasized that he was aware of the severe nature of his misconduct and asked for forgiveness. Among his accusers is April Price, who, during an interview, detailed unsettling experiences from her childhood when she encountered Collins. She claimed that he exposed himself to her on three separate occasions when she was just 13 years old, which left her feeling uncomfortable and unsure how to respond because of his celebrity status and prior kindness towards her. Collins later addressed the situation with Price, sincerely apologizing and stating his acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Despite this, his admissions attracted widespread criticism and intensified the media scrutiny surrounding the actor. The fallout from these events was significant, as Collins lost various professional and personal ties due to his actions. His ex-wife, Faye Grant, along with former co-stars from '7th Heaven', expressed their dismay at his actions and supported the movement encouraging victims to speak out. Price noted her anger after Collins downplayed the seriousness of his past behavior in a televised interview with Katie Couric, which reignited her feelings of injustice and led her to reach out to law enforcement. Consequently, she provided a statement to the LAPD regarding her experiences before deciding to publicly share her story. The controversy has sparked a heightened dialogue within the entertainment industry about the responsibility and accountability of public figures. Following these revelations, fans and former colleagues of Collins have reflected on their perception of him, highlighting the jarring contrast between his wholesome on-screen persona and the disturbing reality of his off-screen actions. The discussion around Collins continues as his past becomes a lesson on the essential need for supporting victims and addressing abuse, reminding society that confronting such troubling issues requires bravery.