Denise Richards: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Wild Things star reveals horror of teen sexual assault
Real Housewives star Denise Richards has revealed the terror that has stayed with her after being sexually assaulted.
The much-loved personality is competing in Season 3 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
After a less-than-ideal debut during the first day of challenges, Richards was called in for questioning by former SAS Sergeant Major Billy Billingham and former US Navy Seal Jovan “Q” Quarles.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I’m completely overcome by certain fearful situations and I want to learn how to stay calm and do something,” Richards told the two questioning her.
“Part of why I wanted to do 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,” she added.
Richards’ freezing she explained, has come from a horrifying sexual assault that occurred when she was just a 15-year-old girl.
“I was 15 and I noticed a man following me,” she told Billingham and Quarles.
“He came up from behind me, put his hand around my mouth, grabbed my vagina, and started dragging me.
“And I froze. I couldn’t even scream for help.”
Richards said she had only ever told her husband about the terrifying sexual assult, before breaking down, overcome by emotion.
“It’s so scary to have that situation at that age and be so vulnerable,” she said.
“I have three daughters and I want them to never be able to go through that. And also if something God forbid happened, to be strong enough.”
Richards went on to reveal she has frozen in other situations since, including an incident in 2022 when her and her husband where shot at while driving in Los Angeles.
“There was a situation that happened with my husband and I,” she said.
“We were driving. He wanted to take me to set. He didn’t want me going alone, thank God,” she recalled.
“And we were physically shot at in his truck.
“I sat on the floor and was just, literally, I peed. I was so scared. I froze.”
Decider reported that Richards didn’t expect to share as much as she did in the question with Billingham and Quarles.
“I think that I haven’t addressed a lot of what I have gone through,” she said.
“It’s very terrifying. I don’t know if I would be able to get over my past.”
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
