WASHINGTON - A woman fought back after she said she was attacked by a cab driver in the District. She wants to warn other potentially vulnerable passengers about the danger she encountered.

The woman who survived the attack said she was picked up late Saturday night around 8th and G Streets in Southeast by what she said was a very nice cab driver who turned out to be a predator, she said. Dawn Young said she is coming forward to warn others.

Young said late Saturday night she thought she was doing the safe thing by taking a taxi from a bar in Capitol Hill to her home several blocks away. "The passenger window was down and he said, 'Oh get in the front seat,'" said Young.

But she said the cab driver, instead of dropping her off, pulled into an alley and parked next to a wall making it hard for her to get out. She said he locked the doors and exposed himself. "He started saying some very nasty, unpleasant things," said Young.

Young said the cabbie sexually assaulted her, which she responded to with full force. "I just did whatever I could, kicking and beating and beating and beating," said Young.

Young said she fought off the driver, escaped and called police. She hopes by coming forward, women will be on alert and police will track down a predator. "I think that he needs to be caught," said Young. "He's not going to bring me down, ever, but this situation is going to be with me for the rest of my life."

Young said she told police her attacker appeared to be in his 50s and was heavy set. She did not catch his name or company, but said the cab was light gray with white lettering. A spokesperson for RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization is applauding Young for having the courage to come forward, helping police and other women in the process.

---

For more information on RAINN, visit http://www.rainn.org