A teenage girl was so traumatised by a sexual assault that it took her one year to report the crime to police.
Police are now hunting for the man who authorities say has "inflicted tremendous pain and suffering on an innocent young woman", after the victim was thrown into bushes and assaulted after a party in May last year.
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Teen girl traumatised by attack
Police are hunting for a man who authorities say has "inflicted tremendous pain and suffering on an innocent young woman", after the victim was assaulted walking home from a party last year. Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne
The 16-year-old girl went to a party with her friends in Mount Eliza on Saturday May 7, and left alone about 11.30pm, Sexual Crime Squad Detective Senior Constable Laura Colley said.
She was walking south on Old Mornington Road when she heard two men behind her.
![If you recognise this man, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170720185552im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/e/3/j/7/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxe4jb.png/1500455983702.jpg)
"She stopped, thinking that she knew those two males, [but] once they approached her she's realised she didn't know them, so she's left," Senior Detective Colley said.
As she tried to get away, one of the men tried to grab her by the arm.
The teen ran across to the other side of the road, but the men followed her.
"One of the males has grabbed her and pulled her into the bushes," Senior Detective Colley said. "When she was in the bushes she was sexually assaulted by that male while another male stood by and kept a lookout."
![Detective Senior Constable Laura Colley (left) and Crime Stoppers Victoria general manager Cathy Rhodes, speaking to ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170720185552im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/e/4/v/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxe4jb.png/1500455983702.jpg)
The attack took place around the corner from Toorak College, between Williams Road and Ti-Tree Lane on Old Mornington Road.
"This was a senseless and vicious attack on an innocent young woman who... had been enjoying a nice evening with friends," Senior Detective Colley said.
"The victim was really traumatised with the event, so it took her over 12 months to report it to police."
Cathy Rhodes, general manager at Crime Stoppers Victoria, called on members of the public to come forward with any information that could help police with their investigation, saying the man who assaulted the young woman "needs to be held accountable for his actions."
"He has inflicted tremendous pain and suffering on an innocent young woman, who should have been free to go about, normally, day to day, as we all should," she said.
"We know that in the community someone will have information about this crime and we want to help this young lady move on a little bit.
"Secrets aren't kept very well in the community. Something will be out there."
The assailant is Caucasian, aged either 18 or 19, and was wearing a black hoodie, which covered his head during the attack.
He was wearing khaki shorts, a grey T-shirt, black socks and black runners. An image of the man's likeness has been released by police.
His friend is also believed to be Caucasian, with a darker skin tone, and was also wearing a black hoodie over his head.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1800 333 000 or report the information online here.