Jessie talks to media about a man who sexually assaulted her in Parkville earlier this year. Credit:Jason South

A young woman sexually assaulted less than one kilometre away from where a body was found in Carlton North this morning says she felt like she was fighting for her life as the muscly attacker dragged her to the ground.

Jessie was walking home after drinks with friends when she was grabbed from behind with significant force on a Wednesday morning in March, prompting her to plea for the public's help to track the man down before he strikes again.

The 21-year-old from Washington DC, in Melbourne on a working holiday, says she was pinned down and beaten as her attacker tried to dull her cries for help alongside Gatehouse Street in Parkville, about 2.35am on March 28.