Stanford publishes annual crime statistics, safety report

The Stanford University Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released the 2026 Safety, Security, and Fire Report, which provides the university community with campus crime data and safety information required under the federal law commonly referred to as the Clery Act.

This year’s report includes newly required statistics on hazing and reflects downward trends in several categories of crime.

“The Department of Public Safety works to protect the campus community through education, dedicated police work, security patrols, and available technology,” said DPS Chief Laura Wilson. “This annual publication serves to keep the Stanford community informed about crimes reported on campus while offering clear guidance on how individuals can help contribute to campus safety.”

The report contains crime statistics on alleged offenses and attempted offenses reported to university staff or police in 2025, as well as data from the two previous years. It also shares important information and tips regarding personal safety, including what to do in an emergency and how the university’s emergency alert system works.

The full report is available online, and printed copies are available through DPS.

Crime stats

This year’s report reflects some year-over-year drops in reported crimes and numbers in line with previous years.

Crimes tracked in the report under the Clery Act include: aggravated assault, alcohol and drug law violations, arson, burglary, domestic and dating violence, hate crimes, murder/manslaughter, robbery, sex crimes, stalking, vehicle theft, and weapons violations. The Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law in 2024 and amended the Clery Act to also include statistics on hazing.

In 2025, there were seven reports of hazing on campus. Hazing is defined as any activity that subjects someone joining or participating in a group to humiliation, degradation, abuse, or unreasonable risk of injury, regardless of that person’s willingness to participate. This year’s report also has information on hazing, including how to report incidents, investigation procedures, and prevention and awareness programs.

The most commonly reported Clery Act crime on campus is motor vehicle theft, which totaled 183 in 2025, including 78 electric scooters, 75 electric bikes, 14 golf carts, 9 automobiles, 4 electric skateboards, and 3 motorcycles. There were 182 motor vehicle thefts reported in 2024 and 190 reported in 2023.

DPS encourages people on campus to always secure their bikes, scooters, and skateboards with a lock and in a designated parking area, to register their bikes and scooters, and to report any suspicious activity near bike racks or parking lots to DPS.

The total number of sex offenses reported in 2025 was 34, including 20 reports of rape and 14 reports of fondling. This is down from 46 sex offenses reported in 2024 and 64 reported in 2023. Some of the cases reported in 2023 involved incidents that had occurred more than 10 years prior. The report’s crime statistics reflect when crimes are reported, not when they allegedly occurred.

Last year, reports of domestic violence dropped to 22, less than half of the 54 reported in 2024 but up from 13 in 2023. More than 25 reports in the 2024 statistics were due to two cases reporting an extended history of abuse, as well as some incidents dating back more than 25 years.

The reports of stalking totaled 47 in 2025, down from 58 in 2024 and 55 in 2023.

The university’s SHARE Title IX and Title VI Office is the central resource for redressing and preventing sexual harassment, sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination for Stanford community members. The SHARE Office provides a range of resources on relationship violence, and education is a key focus of SHARE’s work. For example, all new undergraduate students must complete the Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduate Students course.

Students can also contact the Stanford Confidential Support Team, which offers a 24/7 hotline, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in Vaden Health Services, and the YWCA@Stanford program. Faculty and staff can contact the Faculty Staff Help Center.

Those who have been the victim of a hate crime or bias-motivated incident can seek support and report it at the Title VI Office or by contacting DPS.

There were two hate crimes reported last year, including one theft and one assault, a sharp drop from the 12 hate crimes reported in 2024 and 24 reported in 2023. The 2026 Safety, Security, and Fire Report includes basic details of these incidents.

There were also 22 aggravated assaults reported in 2025, down from 26 in 2024 but in line with the 21 reported in 2023. Last year, there were 18 burglaries reported, a drop from 31 in 2024 and 28 in 2023. There were no robberies reported last year, a downturn from 2 in 2024 and 9 in 2023.