'Always on edge': Teen's trauma after Melbourne laneway sexual assault
A young sexual assault victim has spoken out as police offer $500,000 to solve the “horrendous crime” that happened in Melbourne’s CBD.
The teen victim, who has remained anonymous, said the incident, which occurred in June last year, forced her to drop out of university.
“I think it definitely changed me and my relationship to myself,” she said.
“It challenged a lot of how I thought I would deal with certain things and made me a lot more scared in general. More cautious and less trusting. Always on edge.”
She added she was in a “state of hyper-vigilance for months” and “absolutely drained, exhausted”.
Victoria Police announced on Tuesday a $500,000 reward for information over her assault.
Police said the woman, wearing a black jacket, was walking along Flinders Street towards Swanston Street to catch a tram shortly after 1.45am on June 9 last year.
The teen walked past a bar situated below a hostel between Elizabeth Street and Degraves Street when police said a man stepped out of the building and walked alongside her.
The man placed his arm around her shoulders and neck, and engaged her in a short conversation as they continued to walk towards Swanston Street, police said.
As the pair approached the Metro Tunnel works, the man allegedly pulled the woman to him and kissed her, and she pushed him away.
She continued to walk towards Swanston Street, but the man kept his arm around her shoulders and neck, police said.
Once they passed the works, the man allegedly dragged the woman into an alleyway behind high metal gates, locked the gates, then sexually assaulted her.
The woman managed to scream and was able to run away from the man and out the gates on to Flinders Street.
The victim described the man involved in the sexual assault as being aged in his early 20s, about 178cm tall with a lean build, dark brown skin and short hair.
He is described as being African in appearance and was wearing a black puffy jacket with red lining, light blue jeans and white runners.
Police have released photos of a man they believe might be able to help with their enquiries.
“This is a horrendous crime that occurred at what is probably the busiest intersection in Melbourne,” Sexual Crimes Squad Office In Charge Detective Inspector Steve Wilson said.
“We know that there were plenty of people around at that time so I’d urge anyone who remembers seeing anything on that night to come forward,” he said.
“There is absolutely no doubt that this assault has had an enormous and detrimental impact on this victim’s life.
“She was only an 18-year-old teenager at the time and this attack had significant negative effect on her university studies and day-to-day life.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
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