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Drake Bell has revealed that he was repeatedly sexually assaulted during his time working as a child actor on Nickelodeon.
According to PEOPLE, Bell appeared on the four-part docuseries ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’ which aired on Sunday, March 17, and Monday, March 18. The docuseries reportedly explores the “toxic and dangerous culture” of “the most iconic children’s shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s.”
During his appearance, Bell explained that he began acting on Nickelodeon’s ‘The Amanda Show’ in 1999. Around that time, he was 13 years old.
The following year, he met dialogue coach Brian Peck. Peck allegedly invited Bell to his home for acting lessons.
Bell’s father, who also acted as his manager, reportedly addressed his concern about this to Nickelodeon producers. However, he was eventually “ostracized” from the crew and “backed off.”
The outlet reports that a “rift” developed between Bell and his dad. Peck would then accompany Bell to his acting auditions, and the child would even spend nights at Peck’s home.
When Bell was 15, the dynamic between him and Peck would forever change.
“I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep and… I woke up to him… I opened my eyes and I woke up and he was… he was sexually assaulting me,” Bell explained during the docuseries. “And I froze, and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react. And I had no idea how to get out of the situation.
Bell explained that the circumstances of his abuse by Peck got worse.
“You know anytime I had an audition or anytime I needed to work on dialogue or anything, I somehow ended up back at Brian’s house. And it just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and I was just trapped. I had no way out. The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal,” he explained, per PEOPLE.
According to the outlet, Bell revealed that he often looks back at that time of his life and wonders how he “survived.” Additionally, he explained that although he “experienced a lot of great things” during his time as a child actor, it was “overshadowed and ruined” by what he was “dealing with on the inside.”
Social media users shared their support for Bell and reactions to his revelation in The Shade Room’s comment section.
While Instagram user @korporate00 added, “You never know what a person goin’ through fr!”
While Instagram user @ashley.brionne added, “I believe him! Glad he’s coming out and speaking his truth. Praying he’s ok 😢”
According to PEOPLE, Peck spent 16 months in prison and was mandated to register as a sex offender after charges of “oral copulation with a minor under 16” and “performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old” were brought against him.
The outlet notes that Bell was the victim behind those charges. However, at the time, his identity was not publicly revealed.
Furthermore, PEOPLE reports that Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider, who has previously been accused of sexualizing child actors, offered support to Bell after he was made aware of the sexual assault.
USA Today adds that a spokesperson for Schnieder released a statement after the documentary aired, addressing allegations against him.
“Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network. Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny,” the statement reads. “…If there was an actual problem with the scenes that some people, now years later are ‘sexualizing,’ they would be taken down, but they are not, they are aired constantly all over the world today still, enjoyed by both kids and parents.”
Producers for Nickelodeon have also released a statement, per PEOPLE.
“Now that Drake Bell had disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward.”
However, not all former Nickelodeon actors have seemingly shown the best support for Bell coming forward. On Tuesday, March 19, footage went viral of ‘Neds Declassified’ star Devon Werkheiser and fellow castmates laughing while speaking about the allegations.
In response, Bell took to Twitter to share words for the cast.
“Ned’s Declassless…this is wild…laugh it up guys…laugh it up…’Give me your h*les?!!’ Really?!”
