7th Heaven Cast Address Stephen Collins’ "Inexcusable" Sexual Abuse
Content warning: This story discusses sexual abuse of minors
The 7th Heaven alums kicked off their podcast with an important message.
On the inaugural episode of Catching Up with the Camdens, a rewatch podcast for the iconic WB series, hosts Beverley Mitchell, David Gallagher and Mackenzie Rosman addressed history of sexual abuse Stephen Collins, who played their dad on the show, admitted a decade ago.
“We do think it’s important for us to say something about Stephen Collins,” Beverley began on the Sept. 23 episode, before David, 39, continued, “All forms of abuse—sexual abuse of any kind—it’s inexcusable. And victims of abuse need to be shown compassion, and they should be given support.”
And Mackenzie, who starred as youngest sister Ruthie Camden, noted that while the actors will discuss working with Stephen, they do not stand by his actions.
“As we rewatch these episodes, it would be impossible not to talk about Stephen,” the 34-year-old continued. “Because he was such a big part of the show and our lives, but we want to be clear that we did not have any inappropriate experiences with Stephen.”
Although the rewatch podcast will include cast members from all 11 seasons of the show, which ran from 1996 to 2007, the man behind Rev. Eric Camden will not be one of them.
Beverley, who played Lucy Camden, added, “Stephen will not be joining us on this podcast and we do not excuse or condone his behavior.”
While addressing their former costar’s reprehensible actions, the TV siblings expressed that the intention for their rewatch podcast is to bring joy.
“Our hope for this podcast is to reconnect with you—our fans,” Beverley, 43, continued. “To relive some ‘90s nostalgia and share our fondest memories of 7th Heaven.”
And David (a.k.a. Simon Camden) concluded with one final word of support to survivors and their fans.
“We know this is difficult and we understand it can be triggering,” he added. “But we just want to say that we love you guys and we are so grateful for all the love and support that you, our community, have shown to us. Hopefully you guys will stick with us as we continue on this journey.”
In 2014, Manhattan Special Victims Unit began investigating Stephen for sexual abuse after TMZ released an audio recording of him admitting to molestation of several young teen girls to his therapist and his ex Faye Grant.
The 76-year-old detailed his abusive behavior—which took place when he was 25 years old—toward a 10-year-old girl in an interview with Katie Couric later that year.
“In 1973, there were two occasions when I exposed myself to this young woman and several months later, she came to visit and she and I were watching TV alone together and I took her hand and moved it in such a way that she was touching me inappropriately," he said in the interview. "I knew that something unthinkably wrong had just happened that I couldn't take back.”
Due to the statute of limitations in New York, where the abuse occurred, passing prior to the reports coming to light, Stephen was not charged. In the last several years, he has retreated from the public eye.
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.