Survival expert and outspoken Christian Bear Grylls has spoken publicly after actor and comedian Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault, defending his decision to stand beside Brand at his baptism while insisting that justice for victims must come first.

On Thursday, November 5, a jury found Brand, 51, guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The jury acquitted him of attempted indecent assault and two additional counts of rape. Brand was remanded in custody, and sentencing is scheduled for Monday, November 9.

Grylls, the star of "Man vs. Wild," attended Brand's baptism in April 2024 and shared his thoughts in a social media post after the conviction. He said Brand's faith had appeared genuine to him at the time.

"Brand's faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism," Grylls wrote.

Grylls went on to explain why he believes Christians are called to show compassion to people no matter what they have done. He said he has visited people in prison who committed terrible crimes, and that loving and serving them is part of the calling of men and women of faith.

"It is the sick that need healing," he said.

At the same time, Grylls made clear that he believes justice and compassion for victims are essential. He drew a line between the church's call to welcome repentant sinners and the courts' duty to judge wrongdoing.

"Judgement is for the courts and God," Grylls wrote. "I wouldn't want to ever discourage someone's coming to faith."

Grylls's response has drawn wide attention because it touches a question many Christians wrestle with: how to hold together mercy for the sinner and justice for the victim. His answer, in short, was that the two are not in conflict — the church welcomes all who turn to Christ, and the law must still do its work.