Christian Brückner, a convicted sex offender currently imprisoned in Germany for similar offences, was acquitted by a German court last year of raping Hazel Behan in her apartment in Praia da Rocha, Algarve in 2004.

Brückner has been named as the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Ms Behan, who is represented by Phoenix Law, has blamed the handling of her case by Portuguese authorities for Brückner’s acquittal.

She alleges violations of her rights under Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 8 (right to private life) of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

Ms Behan said: “Lodging my case with the European Court of Human Rights is not just about seeking justice for myself — it’s about standing up after being silenced and ignored for far too long.

“I carry the pain of how I was treated every single day, but I hope the court will ensure that my human rights are protected in line with the very standards that is expected right across Europe.

“And that maybe, through this, Portugal, and other countries, will treat victims of rape, both domestic and foreign, with the decency and respect we deserve.”

Darragh Mackin, solicitor for Ms Behan, said: “The European Court of Human Rights exists for a reason. It exists to ensure victims like Hazel Behan are guaranteed a minimum level of protections across the various member states.  

“Through this action, Hazel has highlighted the systematic and inexcusable failings by the Portuguese authorities has denied her and many other victims, justice for nearly two decades.

“These failings have ultimately contributed to the acquittal of one of the most high-profile perpertrators in modern history.    

“This case is about ensuring that victims of sexual violence are not ignored, dismissed, or silenced by the very systems that are meant to protect them.”