Drake Bell recently forgave Rider Strong for his support of Brian Peck, who allegedly assaulted Bell when he was a minor. Bell and Strong had a conversation where they expressed love and forgiveness towards each other. Peck, a dialogue coach for Nickelodeon, was arrested in 2003 for sexually abusing a child. He pleaded no contest to the charges and served a 16-month prison sentence. Strong and his Boy Meets World costars wrote letters supporting Peck’s release.
Bell publicly addressed the allegations against Peck for the first time in the docuseries Quiet on Set, which premiered in March. The series revealed details from Peck’s trial and sentencing, as well as the letters of support from Strong and others. Strong had previously discussed the situation on his podcast, stating that Peck had admitted to his actions and painted himself as a victim of a seductive minor. Strong claimed they were only aware of the one charge Peck admitted to, not the full extent of his crimes.
Bell alleged that Strong knew about the situation despite his podcast comments. He claimed that Strong was 24 when he wrote the support letter for Peck and was aware of what had transpired. Bell has shown forgiveness towards Strong despite the situation. If anyone has been sexually assaulted, they are encouraged to contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Overall, the situation involving Bell, Strong, and Peck shines a light on the complexities of supporting individuals accused of assault. Despite their past differences, Bell has chosen to forgive Strong for his support of Peck, showing that healing and forgiveness are possible even in difficult circumstances. It is important for victims of assault to seek help and support, as demonstrated by the National Sexual Assault Hotline’s accessible resources for those in need. The docuseries Quiet on Set serves as a platform for addressing and discussing these challenging issues within the entertainment industry, bringing transparency and awareness to cases of abuse and assault.
