The alleged brutal rape of a 77-year-old woman in her Wollongong apartment early on Monday has shocked the community and left elderly neighbours fearing for their safety.
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The woman was found with significant head injuries in her apartment in the suburb of Gwynneville about 3.45am.
Emergency services went to the unit block after the woman reported a man had broken into her home, hit her on the head and assaulted her.
The woman was taken to Wollongong Hospital, but a hospital spokeswoman was unable to provide any update on her condition late on Monday.
A 39-year-old man was arrested about 7.30am, and was in custody on Monday night. No charges had been laid.
Detective Inspector Ben Hopper, from Wollongong police, said the victim had been unable to provide any further information on the incident, and he pleaded for assistance from the community.
He said police believed the assault had occurred just before the woman called for help.
"We are investigating a very serious offence, and are asking anyone who may have been in the area in the early hours of Monday to contact police," he said.
"We are still piecing together the circumstances, and need to get better information from this victim."
Detective Inspector Hopper would not confirm the nature of the assault, but neighbours told the Illawarra Mercury officers had informed them they were investigating a sexual assault.
On Monday, the block of eight apartments where the woman lived was cordoned off with crime scene tape and there were numerous police units outside.
Several specialist officers spent the day in an apartment towards the back of the block.
Neighbours and friends of the woman expressed shock and disbelief upon hearing news of the attack.
"I know her, we talk all the time. She plays with my dog. She's a nice lady, she talks to everyone in the street," one man said.
A woman living in a unit next door to the victim said the 77-year-old lived alone. The neighbour said she, too, lived by herself and was now worried about her own safety.
"I went to bed early and woke up late, and was surprised to see all the police outside. I didn't see or hear anything," she said.
"We've been neighbours a long time. I'm really worried. This could happen to someone else, who knows?"
