Police have issued a public warning after a woman was sexually assaulted in downtown Vancouver Sunday night.

The 30-year-old victim was walking southbound on Burrard Street near Davie Street when she pushed to the ground and assaulted around 7:30 p.m.

“The woman defended herself by biting her attacker, causing him to release his hold and run away,” Sgt. Randy Fincham said in a press release.

The suspect fled eastbound on Davie toward Granville Street.

He is described as an Asian man in his 30s, 5-4 tall with a slender build and short, black hair. He was wearing a dark shirt, light-coloured jeans and carrying a bright yellow backpack.

Anyone with information about the sex assault is asked to call the Vancouver Police Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0602 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-22-8477.