A 51-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at her home in the Ibex Valley area early Tuesday morning, Whitehorse RCMP say.

Police made the incident public early Tuesday afternoon.

An unknown male broke into the woman's home at approximately 4 a.m. and fled following the assault.

The woman immediately called police and was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital for treatment.

The suspect is a young male, possibly Caucasian, of slender build and believed to be in his early 20s. He was wearing dark clothing and his face and head were covered.

An estimate of his height was not available.

Cpl. Glenn Ramsay confirmed that an assault of this nature is unusual for Whitehorse.

He advises people to take precautions for their own safety.

Examples include avoiding being alone in public, particularly at night, being alert, keeping homes and vehicles locked, and avoiding isolated areas.

Ramsay said there are some similarities between the suspect in Tuesday's assault and a sexual assault that occurred on a Riverdale trail on Sept. 29, although the circumstances of the two attacks differ.

Cindy Chiasson, a member of the board of directors for the Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre, advises Whitehorse residents to remember to lock all the doors in their homes, including balcony doors for those who live in apartments.

'You should feel safe in your own home,' Chiasson said today.

Chiasson, a long-time resident of Whitehorse, recalled that years ago, it was safe to leave doors unlocked or to walk the streets alone.

While this is no longer the case, Chiasson said, many residents continue to abide by their old habits.

Anyone with information on the assault or who may have noticed any suspicious people or activity in the area is asked to contact the RCMP at 667-5555 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.