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Denise Richards revealed that she was sexually assaulted when she was just 15 years old during the season 3 premiere special forces:The hardest test in the world.
On the January 8 episode, which saw the celebrities attempt to complete a series of military exercises, Richards explained how her motivation to join the show stemmed from past experiences where she “froze” out of fear.
“I really want to learn how not to be overwhelmed by fear. I have been through traumatic situations that were very terrifying for me,” the 53-year-old said. Wild things The star told the show’s directing crew. “I want to learn how to deal with these issues and be stronger.”
“Part of the reason I wanted to take this course is because I’ve been in situations where I freeze up and can’t do my jobs, and I can’t even talk to protect myself,” she continued.
“The first time I felt like I was 15 and noticed a guy following me,” Richards said. “He came up behind me, put his hand around my mouth, grabbed my vagina, and started pulling me, and I froze, like I couldn’t even scream for help.
“It’s very scary to have that situation, you know, at that age and be so vulnerable. And I have three daughters, and I want them to never go through that. And also if something is, God forbid, strong enough.”
Richards felt the urge to open up about the sexual assault after management staff pulled her aside to tell her she had a “deer-in-the-headlights look” while trying to complete the helicopter extraction challenge, an exercise that involves jumping from a boat to a helicopter pad and propelling oneself into the plane’s cabin.
She continued in her confession: “I think I haven’t addressed a lot of what I’ve been through, which is very terrifying. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to move on from my past.”
the Starship troopers The actress admitted that her husband, Aaron Phypers, was the only other person she confided in about the assault.
Elsewhere in the discussion with the coaches, Richards briefly recalled a scary incident she had with the Phypers.
“We were driving. He wanted to take me to [a] hiring. “He didn’t want me to go alone, thank God,” she said. “We were physically shot in his truck, and I sat on the ground and literally peed. I was so scared… I froze.”
Richards eventually pulled out of the show, realizing that she was too old to put her body through these exercises in just two episodes.
“I really want to have the whole experience, but as I’m getting older, I don’t know if I’m physically capable of doing that,” she said.
Rape Crisis provides support to those affected by rape and sexual assault. You can contact them 0808 802 9999 In England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the United States, you can call Rainn at 800-656-HOPE (4673)