A 23-year-old woman was only a short distance from her home in North Melbourne when she was subjected to a brutal sexual assault, police say.


Describing the early morning attack as "frightening", Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski from the Sexual Crime Squad said the woman was stalked for about one kilometre before her attacker dragged her into a lane, kicked her in the head and sexually assaulted her.


The ordeal began about 2.45am on Sunday, when the woman encountered her attacker at the intersection of King Street and La Trobe Street after leaving a nearby club.


The man tried to engage the woman in conversation and attempted to hold her hand, but the woman rejected his advances and continued walking along King Street.


The man persisted, however, and walked alongside the woman, following her up King Street, along Victoria Street and into Chetwynd Street.


As the woman passed Brown Lane, the man suddenly grabbed her in a bear-hug and dragged her into the lane.


He punched her several times to the head and knocked her to the ground, before kicking her to the head and sexually assaulting her.


Senior Constable Sniegowski said the attacker only subsided after a passerby heard the woman's cries for help and intervened.


The offender then stole the woman's handbag and fled on-foot down Chetwynd Street.


A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the woman was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with significant facial injuries.


Senior Constable Sniegowski said the attack appeared to be opportunistic.


"It's not a common assault, given it was in an open area," he said.


"I would say it's a frightening and the nature in which she has attacked."


Senior Constable Sniegowski said the assault took place in a residential area with a “considerable amount” of pedestrian traffic nearby.


In light of Sunday's attack, which follows the recent jailing of Adrian Bayley for the rape and murder of Jill Meagher, Senior Constable Sniegowski issued a warning for anyone travelling alone at night.


"Whenever anyone is walking around at night, male or female, you should be aware of your surroundings," he said.


Detectives are in the process of canvassing the area for CCTV footage of Sunday's assault and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward to police.


The offender is perceived as being of either Asian or Indian sub-continental appearance, medium build with short, black cropped hair and unshaven with stubble.


He was wearing a black top, blue jeans and an open leather jacket.


Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au .