Rape victim speaks of her ordeal

The rape had a huge impact on the 19-year-old's life

"I was still and frozen to the spot. I couldn't move, I couldn't scream or cry. I was just too frightened.

"I just had to lie there, I couldn't grab anything, I was so scared there was no one around - I couldn't reach out for anybody."

This described the end of a young girl's night out in Ashton. The 19-year-old victim, who wants to remain anonymous, has spoken out after she was raped in an alleyway.

She had been out drinking and dancing in May last year but did not realise her attacker had been watching her drunkenly attempt to phone for a lift home.

He then followed her, picked her up in his car and then attacked her.

I realised something wasn't right - he took me down this secluded alleyway and then attacked me. I had no choice. I just froze. Rape victim

She said: "I had been out with my friends for a few drinks around Ashton, it was a normal night and we were all having a good time.

"When my friends wanted to go home I stayed, being me and being the party animal I am stayed out in the bar and carried on drinking.

"I left the pub as it was closing, at about 0400 BST, I looked around and suddenly realised that I was by myself and I had to find a way to get home.

"I was really drunk but I remember getting in his car and I thought he was taking me home.

"I realised something wasn't right - he took me down this secluded alleyway and then attacked me. I had no choice. I just froze."

After the ordeal he let her go and she ran home, banged on the door and told her parents between sobs.

"I wanted my dad," she said. "He's a big fellow and I wanted a hug, I wanted to feel safe in the arms of somebody."

Her attacker was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.

'Stick with friends'

"My life has changed," the teenager said.

"Every day I think about it and every day I do things that I wouldn't have normally done.

"I'm more cautious, I only feel happy and comfortable when I have someone with me.

"I don't stay out after my friends have gone home - we're a team now."

The 19-year-old is backing a campaign by Greater Manchester Police to keep young women safe and less vulnerable after a night out.

Det Ch Insp David Riddick, who is helping lead the campaign, said: "The aim is to make people, in particular young women, realise their vulnerability when under the influence of alcohol and urge them to pace their drinks, stick with their friends and plan how they're going to get home.

"I want to reassure victims that we take rape extremely seriously and we are continuously working to improve the service we provide to victims to ensure that we bring the offenders to justice."

As well as the police, there are other organisations that support victims of rape, such as St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Rape Crisis and Manchester Action Street Health.