Following 7th Heaven‘s Stephen Collins being accused of child molestation, the actor has now publicly confessed.

A few months ago, we reported that Stephen Collins’ wife had recorded a therapy session in which the 67-year-old actor detailed his sexual abuse of three young girls.

Now, Collins has publicly admitted to and apologised for his indiscretions.

In a statement to People, Collins explains that there were three female victims, from 1973 to 1994. Since then, Collins writes, “I have not had an impulse to act out in any such way.”

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

He has decided to speak out about the issue to counter the news organisations that have been releasing speculatory reports based on his wife’s recording.

“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 writes.

He has since apologised to one of the now adult women, and says that, “she was extraordinarily gracious.” He has chosen not to approach the two others, claiming that he feared it would make things worse for them.

So far, Collins’ actions have cost him a role in Ted 2. He has also resigned from the SAG-AFTRA board.

Stephen Collins is scheduled to sit down with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric on Friday, December 19, to discuss his confession. You can read his full statement in People Magazine, on sale this Friday.