A Co Down woman has waived her right to anonymity for the first time to reveal the details of a sickening sex attack carried out against her 24 years ago - when she was just eight-years-old.
Simone Cunnane, who is now 31, was playing with a friend when she was targeted by a man who lured her into the woods, where he tied her up before raping her.
The Newry woman said she wanted to speak out because she believes there are other victims and wanted to let them know "they aren't alone and there is help".
The mother-of-two has spoken publicly about her ordeal just days after police revealed they had arrested a man aged in his forties in relation to the case.
Police said the man, who was arrested on January 30, was later released on police bail pending further enquiries.
The PSNI re-opened the investigation, which is being treated as attempted murder, in February 2013.
Speaking to The Sunday World, Ms Cunnane - who has identified herself for the first time - said she had been on her way to play football with a friend at around 4pm on Friday, June 10, 1994, when she was targeted.
"We left my house to get sweets and made our way to the centre (Barcroft Community Centre)," she said.
"It wasn't open, we were about 10 minutes early so we sat outside and this is when the man approached us. He was smiling and told us he'd lost his wee brother and that sometimes he played in the woods and would we help find him".
Ms Cunnane said she went into the woods with her friend and the man but then became separated from her pal and was left alone with the stranger.
"He led me to an overgrowth area and we were sitting on a small muck pile when he reached into his pocket and took out this rope," she said.
"It was tied like a noose. The next thing, he had it around my neck and was tightening it. I was choking and I tried to pull it away with my fingers"
Ms Cunnane said she began to shout but the man put his hand over her mouth and threatened that he had a knife.
She was then subjected to a relentless sex attack before she fell unconscious and it was during this time, that she was raped.
Left for dead, the young child later managed to free herself and wandered into the garden of a family home where the householders helped her.
She was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital where staff called the police.
More than 20 years on, Ms Cunnane said she "always did believe the person responsible was from the area".
"He knew where he was going, it was premeditated as he had everything with him. What is disturbing is that since that day, the man who attacked me has been walking the streets. I know I am not the only one he attacked".
