Hazel Behan praised following powerful Ireland AM appearance

Hazel Behan courageously spoke out about being a victim of sexual assault

Activist Hazel Behan is being praised following her powerful appearance on Ireland AM this week.

Behan was reportedly sexually assaulted by Christian Brückner in 2004. She claims Brückner, the key suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, allegedly raped her.

Hazel Behan has lodged a case against Portugal with the European Court of Human Rights over the failure to investigate Christian Brückner.

Speaking to presenters Tommy Bowe and Muireann O'Connell, Behan said a masked man broke into her apartment during the night when she was working as a holiday rep in the Algarve in Portugal.

She said a masked man appeared in her apartment and sexually assaulted and raped her.

Behan told the presenters, "I just instantly froze. I couldn't quite get myself together."

Muireann responded: "How could you? I'm really sorry. You were doing a job that so many of us have done. I've only walked home from nights when you work in Greece or Portugal or Spain."

Hazel continued, "He told me not to scream. I think there's this innate thing in us that you'll fight back if you feel that you have a chance to win. But I knew instantly that I didn't. I knew I just wouldn't have had a chance against this person."

Hazel explained that there was no English interpreter with her when Portuguese police responded to her call.

They also reportedly failed to gather evidence like blood-stained sheets and broken false nails from when Behan was defending herself.

Her ECHR case centres on the alleged failure of the Portuguese authorities to identify and arrest Christian Brückner.

Behan hopes to help other victims by sharing her story and by lodging an ECHR case.

"The last thing that you would want is your daughter... You don't want to be my dad, my mother, who sent me off at 20, safe in the knowledge that I was gone off to make all these memories and have the summer of my 21st birthday.

"And the gasp that came out of my dad's breath is something.. when I told him on the phone, what had happened to me is something that has laid heavy on my world and his.

"So now, as a parent, I can't change what happened to me - there's no going back, there's no rewriting it. But heaven forbid something would happen to my girls. I would like for them to be treated with the very, very basics, just with some dignity."

Viewers praised Hazel Behan following her powerful appearance on Ireland AM.

One wrote, "You are incredible, brave, and strong. I'm so sorry this happened to you and that you were treated so badly in the aftermath."

Another added, "What a brave lady you are, Hazel. Hoping you get the justice you deserve."

You can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on their 24-hour National Helpline 1800 778888 provides free, confidential, and non-judgmental support after sexual violence at any time.