Police are appealing for new information about a sexual assault that occurred in Morwell, in Victoria's south-east, almost 40 years ago.
Sexual Crimes Squad detectives want to speak to anyone with knowledge about the incident on November 6, 1983, when a teenage girl was woken in the early hours by a man climbing into her bed and placing his hand across her mouth.
Police said it appeared the man had removed a flyscreen from her bedroom window to get into the room.
The man told her "don't make a noise or I'll hurt you" before sexually assaulting her.
Investigators believe he then jumped out the window, smashing the glass with his foot.
The man has been described as tall with a stocky build, short ginger hair and a moustache.
He was perceived to be of Caucasian appearance with a fair complexion.
Police said at the time of the assault he was wearing a stocking over his head and possibly a flannelette shirt.
Earlier that night, the victim had been out with her friends at the Astrodome venue in Traralgon.
She caught a taxi back to her home in Morwell with friends and was dropped off last about 1am on November 6.
Decades of pain
Detective Acting Inspector Tracy Johnston of the Sexual Crimes Squad said any sexual assault is traumatic, but it is particularly distressing to have the safety of one's home compromised.
"Our victim has lived with the physical and emotional impacts of this assault for almost 40 years and investigators are determined to pursue every avenue of inquiry," she said.
"We've previously spoken to the people our victim was out with on the night and it doesn't appear anything untoward was noticed while they were out at the Astrodome.
"While a significant period of time has passed, we are hopeful that there is still someone out there who can help us provide answers in relation to this case."
The assault was reported to police at the time it occurred, but no-one has ever been arrested in relation to the incident.
Inspector Johnston said people's circumstances changed over time and the fresh appeal might be the prompt for them to come forward.
"We're keen to speak with anyone who might have information about this incident and no piece of information is ever too small," she said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report via their website.
