‘7th Heaven’ stars address Stephen Collins’ ‘inexcusable’ sexual abuse before launching rewatch podcast

“7th Heaven” stars Beverley Mitchell, David Gallagher and Mackenzie Rosman condemned former co-star Stephen Collins’ past sexual abuse scandal in the debut episode of their rewatch podcast, “Catching Up with the Camdens.”

“We want you to know that we see all of your comments and we know how excited you all are for the rewatch, but before we get into that we do think it’s important that we say something about Stephen Collins,” Mitchell, who played Lucy Camden, said in the episode released Monday.

Gallagher, who played Simon Camden, added: “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.”

“7th Heaven” stars Mackenzie Rosman, David Gallagher and Beverley Mitchell addressed Stephen Collins’ sexual abuse scandal in Monday’s episode of their new podcast, “Catching Up with the Camdens.” YouTube “We do think it’s important that we say something about Stephen Collins,” Mitchell said during the episode. YouTube “All forms of abuse, sexual abuse of any kind, it’s inexcusable,” Gallagher added. “And victims of abuse need to be shown compassion and they should be given support.” YouTube

Mackenzie Rosman, who starred in the series as Ruthie Camden, then went on to explain that they would have to discuss Collins, 76, in the podcast since he played their onscreen father.

“As we rewatch these episodes, it would be impossible not to talk about Stephen because he was such a big part of the show and our lives,” Rosman, 34, said.

However, the former child star emphasized that she, Mitchell and Gallagher did not have “inappropriate experiences” with the disgraced actor.

“As we rewatch these episodes, it would be impossible not to talk about Stephen because he was such a big part of the show and our lives,” Rosman also explained. REUTERS The trio said that none of them had “inappropriate experiences” with Collins. ©Aaron Spelling Prods/Courtesy Everett Collection

Mitchell, 43, reassured listeners that Collins would not be making an appearance on the podcast, adding that they do not “excuse or condone his behavior.”

She said the trio hopes the podcast will give them an opportunity to “reconnect” with fans and “relive some ’90s nostalgia.”

However, Gallagher, 39, acknowledged that some episodes may be “triggering” for certain groups of people.

“We know this is difficult and we understand that it can be triggering, but we 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,” he said.

“7th Heaven” aired from 1996 to 2007. ©Aaron Spelling Prods/Courtesy Everett Collection Mitchell, Gallagher and Rosman hoped the podcast would allow them to “reconnect” with fans and “relive some ’90s nostalgia.” Getty Images

In December 2014, Collins confessed to exposing himself to three young girls between 1973 and 1994. At the time, the disgraced actor called his actions “terribly wrong” in a statement to People.

“Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since,” he said.

“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.”

Collins and Grant were married in 1985 and called it quits in 2015. In the divorce filing from October 2014, his ex-wife claimed that Collins “has a long term pattern of sexually molesting children.”

Collins confessed to exposing himself to young girls in 2014. Getty Images The disgraced actor said he apologized directly to one of his victims. WireImage

In statement to People, Collins said that he apologized to one of the victims and that she was “extraordinarily gracious.”

Despite his desire to make amends with the other victims, he learned that “opening old wounds” could “make things worse for them.”

New episodes of “Catching Up with the Camdens” will be released on Mondays.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.