Denise Richards Breaks Down in Tears as She Recalls How She 'Froze' During a Sexual Assault: 'I Couldn't Even Scream for Help'

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the two-hour Season 3 premiere Special forces: the toughest test in the world.

Denise Richards opens up about the lasting impact of sexual assault.

On the season 3 premiere Special forces: the toughest test in the world On January 8, the actress, 53, and her fellow recruits were challenged to complete a helicopter pullout – in which they attempted to jump from a boat onto a hovering helicopter and push themselves to the cabin.

The challenge – which was taken from the actual selection process of the Army Special Forces – forced Richards to think back to his past. She explained: “I really want to learn how not to be overcome by fear. I went through traumatic situations that were very scary for me. I want to learn how to deal with these problems and be stronger.”

From left: Ali Manno and Denise Richards on ‘Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test’.

Pete Dadds/FOX

Denise Richards Originally ‘Passed’ on Special forces: the toughest test in the world After watching Season 1: ‘No way’

After she failed the challenge as she was unable to lift herself up to the helicopter cabin, the Management Staff (DS) brought her in for a debriefing after they noticed she had a “deer in the headlights look” during the experience.

“It is difficult. I’m completely out of my comfort zone,” Richards said before adding, “I’m not petrified. I’m emotional right now.”

DS noted that she “froze” during the exercise, and the mum-of-three replied: “Yes, I’m completely overwhelmed by certain scary situations and I want to learn how to stay calm and do something.”

Richards went on to elaborate on why she took part in the show, explaining, “Part of the reason I wanted to take this course is because I’ve been in situations where I’ve frozen and I can’t function, I can’t even speak to protect myself. .”

Denise Richards on ‘Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test’.

Pete Dadds/FOX

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum — who is mother to daughters Sami, 20, Lola, 19, and Eloise, 13 — then recalled the traumatic situation with her husband, Aaron Phypers.

“We were driving. He wanted to take me to [a] expensive,” she said. “He didn’t want me to go alone, thank God, and they physically shot at us in his truck, and I sat on the floor and literally peed myself. I was so scared…I froze.”

“The first time I experienced it was when I was 15 years old and I noticed that a man was following me,” she continued. “He approached me from behind, put his hand around my mouth, grabbed my vagina and started pulling me, and I froze, as if I couldn’t even shout for help.”

After admitting she only told her husband about the sexual assault, Richards broke down in tears and added: “It’s so scary to be in that situation, you know, at that age and to be so vulnerable. And I have three daughters and I want them to never go through that. And also, if something, God forbid, is strong enough.”

Denise Richards reveals her daughters ‘were very upset’ she joined Special forces: ‘They were afraid’ (Exclusive)

Denise Richards on ‘Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test’.

Pete Dadds/FOX

In the confessional, Richards revealed that she had not moved on from the sexual assault. “I don’t think I’ve dealt with a lot of what I’ve been through, and it’s very scary. I don’t know if I would be able to get over my past,” she said.

After bungee jumping from a 130-ft. high bridge and attempting the surf immersion challenge — they kept diving underwater while holding hands — in the second episode, Richards realized Fox’s bootcamp-style reality series had become too much for her.

While complaining of back pain that left her “barely” able to walk, Richards tore off the armband and gave up. “I really want to do the whole experience, but the older I get, I don’t know if I’m physically up to it,” she said.

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Special forces: the toughest test in the world airs Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET on Fox.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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Source: HIS Education