It wasn’t until 2022 when she had grief counselling that she confronted what had happened.
The following year she made a formal complaint to police.
“I am a mum now and my children are the age that I was then – and that cannot happen to them,” she said.
She said finding the courage to contact police was difficult and it “took me a few days just to pluck up the courage”.
Det Con Andrew Jones, from West Midlands Police’s Major Crime Team, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to the brave woman who came forward to report what Allen had done to her as a child.
“She has been so brave throughout the investigation and court process.”
Allen was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court in July.
His defence argued the offence was committed during a difficult period in his life while he was experiencing anxiety.
But, during his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge Paul Farrer KC, said he did not accept Allen’s judgement was impaired at the time and said he had abused a position of trust.
That his offending remained undiscovered for more than three decades meant he was able to enjoy life in the community, the court heard.
It was noted the defendant was now in poor health, had diabetes, glaucoma and impaired hearing, had previously had a heart attack and might be experiencing the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
The woman said it was not the sentencing but the guilty verdict that had been most important to her.
“I felt heard, I felt people have listened and they believe me,” she added. “It is really validating and it raises your self-esteem a little bit, it means a lot.”