A student from the Republic was raped in the university area of Belfast last weekend, it was disclosed yesterday.
The 19-year-old woman was on a field trip from a college in Munster when she was attacked early on Saturday.
The assault took place between University Street and a youth hostel on the Donegall Road. It happened between 12.30 a.m. and 2.30 a.m. It was the third sexual attack in the area in recent months.
Chief Insp Will Kerr said that the woman had been in a most distressed state. "We are very keen to progress this investigation as quickly as we can," he said. "This has had a serious effect on the victim. One of these crimes is one too many as far as the police are concerned. We are working very hard with other agencies in south Belfast to create a safe environment."
He said that about 15,000 young people visited the university area of Belfast on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
"The vast majority do so in a safe environment. The advice we give them is based on common sense - keep your wits about you when you are out and about and look after your friends on the way home."
The woman was later dropped off at a hostel by a taxi and the PSNI is appealing for the driver to contact detectives at Musgrave Street station.
A local SDLP Assembly member, Ms Carmel Hanna, urged young women to be vigilant. "The increase in this kind of attack, and indeed in street crime, is very worrying. I would advise young women especially to, if possible, avoid going out on their own at night. They have to be very aware of their personal safety. It is a sad reality of the times we are living in, but we must do everything to make ourselves less vulnerable."
Ms Monica McWilliams, of the Women's Coalition, said that putting the onus on young women to stay indoors after dark was unfair, as they were not to blame for the attacks.
"In this area, people are out and about after dark for many reasons - work, study and socialising. We need to work towards guaranteeing their safety and stopping violent and sexual attacks rather than accepting limitations on movement."