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Police have urged the women to stay in groups while outside after three were stabbed and two others were beaten in a series of attacks in Belfast.
Officers have said they are hunting down a single suspect who was carrying a small but sharp knife and who may have been wearing a mask.
Police also said he was wearing dark clothing and riding a mountain bike.
The first stabbing took place around 8:10 p.m. on Ormeau Avenue, the second knife attack occurred around 8:45 p.m. on Donegall Square West, and the third took place around 9:30 p.m. on University Road.
Northern Ireland police said the three women were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
They have since been discharged.
Officers were informed of a fourth attack after a woman was struck in the neck on Lisburn Road at around 9 p.m.
A fifth attack was reported after a man on a bicycle struck a woman in the head on Dublin Road at around 8:55 p.m. Monday.
The assault was reported Tuesday morning and police believe it may be related to the other four incidents.
The five women are between 19 and 22 years old.
Officers do not believe that the robbery was a motive and some of the victims were accompanied by friends.
Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said: “Stay tuned, know where you are.
“If you are going out, try to do it with a friend or in groups.”
Such attacks are extremely rare in Northern Ireland and officers have stepped up patrols.
Mr. Walls added: “The police are taking this investigation incredibly seriously.
“We accept the fear that this type of attack causes. We wish to say that incidents like this in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland are really rare.”
Officers have asked anyone with information to contact them at 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555111
