( CNN ) -- `` 7th Heaven '' star Stephen Collins has admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with three female minors , People reports . The actor released a statement to the publication in light of child molestation accusations that arose in the midst of his divorce proceedings . Collins was the subject of reports in October after his wife , Faye Grant , said he admitted to her he molested three underage girls . TMZ posted an audio recording that was alleged to have been made during a November 2012 therapy session involving Collins and his wife during which he made incriminating statements . Stephen Collins ' estranged wife says there 's no extortion attempt . The incidents reportedly happened between 1973 and 1994 . In the statement he released to People , Collins said `` I have not had an impulse to act out in any such way '' in the past 20 years . `` Forty years ago , I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret , '' he says in the statement . `` 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 . '' Collins was known for his clean-cut image in Hollywood and played a pastor and beloved father on the hit show `` 7th Heaven . '' He 's avoided the limelight since the accusations were made public . Who is Stephen Collins ? Now Collins is speaking out . `` On the recording , I described events that took place 20 , 32 , and 40 years ago , '' Collins says in his statement . `` 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 . '' Collins said he has struggled over whether to apologize directly to the women who were involved . `` I did have an opportunity to do so with one of the women , 15 years later , '' he says . `` 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 . '' In addition to the lengthy statement that People will publish in its issue Friday , the 67-year-old actor is scheduled for an interview with Yahoo Global news anchor Katie Couric that will be streamed on that site and aired on ABC 's `` 20/20 . '' Collins and Grant are still in the midst of their divorce proceedings .
Stephen Collins releases a statement to People about sexual contact with minors . He says he 's been working to atone for what he did . The actor also will be interviewed by Katie Couric .