Topless woman filmed attacking men who ‘groped her’ at music festival

'He grabbed my breast. I hit him'

A young woman who was filmed attacking a man after he groped her at a New Zealand music festival has spoken out.

Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller was walking around the Rhythm & Vines festival in Gisborne while topless with just a dusting of glitter covering her breasts when the unnamed man groped her from behind.

The 20 year old, who was with her friend at the time, can be seen quickly turning around before throwing a drink in the man's face and punching him several times.

Anello-Kitzmiller pictured with her boyfriend Max Ashworth on the day of the incident. (Max Ashworth)

The clip, which was taken by Giann Reece and uploaded to Facebook, quickly went viral and generated a flurry of comments over Annello-Kitzmiller’s actions and her revealing outfit.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, she explained that she does not regret her actions and hopes the clip will inspire women to stand up for themselves and feel confident in their own skin.

"I stand by my actions and hope that I've inspired women to feel comfortable in their bodies, no matter how they look, and to stick up for themselves when anybody says otherwise or tries to deny you the right to protect your own body," she said.

After the incident, the young reveller continued walking around topless and proceeded to enjoy the festival, which took place on New Year’s Eve.

She added that she has been groped several times before while wearing far less revealing outfits.

The footage, which has since been deleted, generated a polarising mixture of opinions online.

Some viewers praised Annello-Kitzmiller for defending herself while others said the man’s behaviour was to be expected because of her revealing outfit.

“Comments like 'she was asking for it' are promoting rape culture in that people see that and hear justification and violating a human's respect and right to feel safe in their own skin,” said Anello-Kitzmiller.

Showing support after the incident was Annello-Kitzmiller’s boyfriend, Max Ashworth, who provided the following statement to The Independent: “My girlfriend Maddie got pasties and glitter art done on her body by a stall at Rnv and within minutes of getting it done she was getting yelled at and harassed by countless people calling her 'disgusting'.

"Madeline you are a badass and I'm so proud of you for sticking up for yourself, you are an inspiration to so many people, keep doing what you do".