Denise Richards opens up about a painful time in her life. In the third season premiere of Special Forces: The Toughest Test in the World, The Wild things The actress emotionally recalls the time she was sexually abused when she was 15.

After Richards’ lackluster performance on the first day of Special Forces selection, Directing Staff (DS) instructors Billy Billingham, a former SAS sergeant major, and Jovon “Q” Quarles, a veteran Navy SEAL, call her in to check on her questioning why she did that has signed up for the Fox show, in which celebrities complete a series of demanding training exercises.

“Certain scary situations completely overwhelm me and I want to learn how to stay calm and do something,” Richards says, adding, “One reason I wanted to do this course was because I’ve been in situations where I feel cold on and I can’t function. I can’t even speak to protect myself.”

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

“A situation happened with my husband and I. We were traveling by car. He wanted to take me to the set. “Thank God he didn’t want me to go alone,” she recalls. “And we were physically shot at in his truck. And I sat on the floor and literally peed. I was so scared. I froze.”

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

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

When Richards realizes that her husband is the only one she has ever told this story to, she begins to cry.

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

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

“I don’t think I’ve addressed a lot of what I’ve been through yet,” she says. “And it’s very frightening. I don’t know if I could overcome my past.”

Special Forces: The Toughest Test in the World airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox.

If you or someone you know needs to come forward about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24 hours a day at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at RAINN.org.