'The world turned a blind eye to what he was doing to me. Now it's too late'

The 1970s were marked by economic paralysis, crippling strikes, and a bleak decline of our cities and towns. But there was an even darker side to the decade.

The fashion, music, and youth revolution of the 1960s changed our culture in positive, joyous ways. But it failed to lift the lid on hidden abuse which continued through the 70s. It was an environment in which Jimmy Savile was able to brazenly exploit the glitz of his fame to pursue and sexually assault young girls.

In more mundane, but equally appalling circumstances, in homes, shops, clubs, and pubs, thousands of young girls were also abused. But they suffered in silence as the backward social norms of the day meant they did not complain, did not shout for help, they did not confide. They feared that if they did speak out they may well have been accused, falsely, of consenting. The new found "freedom" of the previous decade became a licence to abuse for some men in the 70s.

One woman who says she was robbed of her childhood innocence and left emotionally scarred for life in the 1970s by being regularly sexually abused has spoken to the Manchester Evening News. Decades on, no-one has been brought to justice.

It would be hoped now that tell-tale signs of possible abuse would be flagged by teachers, family members, or close friends. But she had no one to speak up for her.

Sue is stoic, even upbeat. This is remarkable considering what she has endured.

She went through years of sexual abuse, largely at the hands of one perpetrator, culminating in her allegedly being raped at the age of 16. This, decades later, led to two police investigations - ten years apart - which both failed to deliver the justice she craves.

Sue, whose identity cannot be disclosed