“I couldn’t even scream for help”

Denise Richards opens up about a painful time in her life. In season 3 premiere of Special Forces: The world’s toughest test, the Wild things The actress emotionally remembers the time she was sexually assaulted when she was 15.

After Richards’ lackluster performance on the first day of Special Forces selection, instructors Billy Billingham, a former SAS sergeant major, and Jovon “Q” Quarles, a veteran Navy SEAL, call her in to ask why she signed up for the Fox show , which puts celebrities through a series of demanding training exercises.

“I’m completely overwhelmed by certain fearful situations and I want to learn how to stay calm and do something,” Richards says, before adding: “Part of the reason I wanted to take this course was because I’ve been in situations where I freeze and I can’t function. I can’t even speak to protect myself.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills The alum first refers to an incident in November 2022 in which another driver shot at her and her husband while they were on their way to a set in Los Angeles.

“There was a situation that happened with my husband and I. We were driving. He wanted to take me to stand. He didn’t want me to go alone, thank God,” she recalls. “And we were physically shot at in his truck. And I was just, literally, peeing. I was so scared.”

Richards says the first time she froze in response to a horrific situation was when she was sexually assaulted as a teenager.

“I was 15 and I noticed a man following me,” she says. “He came up behind me, put his hand over my mouth, grabbed my vagina and started pulling me. And I froze. I couldn’t even shout for help.”

Richards notes that her husband is the only one she has ever told that story to and begins to cry.

“It’s so scary to have that situation at that age and be so vulnerable,” she adds. “I have three daughters and I want them to never have to go through that. And also if something God forbid happened, to be strong enough.”

After their conversation, Richards seems surprised by how much she shared.

“I think I haven’t processed a lot of what I’ve been through,” she says. “And it’s very scary. I don’t know if I would be able to get over my past.”

Special Forces: The world’s toughest test sent on Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox.

If you or someone you know needs to contact you about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at RAINN.org.