The Annual Security Report was released Wednesday, as required by the Clery Act. Credit: Daniel Bush | Lantern File Photo
Stalking, fondling and hate crimes increased on Ohio State’s Columbus campus in 2025, while rape and alcohol law violations decreased, according to the university’s 2026 Annual Security Report, released on Wednesday.
The Clery Act is a federal law requiring colleges and universities that receive federal funding to disclose certain crimes reported the previous calendar year, university spokesperson Dan Hedman said in an email.
Crimes reported include assaults, burglaries, dating violence and a newly added hazing category.?
“Clery requires the inclusion of reported incidents that occurred on campus, including the Wexner Medical Center, in non-campus university buildings or property owned or controlled by Ohio State or its recognized student organizations, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to, and accessible from campus,” Hedman said.
Sexual assault serves as an umbrella term that includes nonconsensual sexual contact, nonconsensual sexual penetration, incest and statutory rape, the report stated.
All numbers from the report refer to cases that were reported in 2025, not the amount of cases that occurred in 2025.
Reported stalking cases increased from 71 to 82 in 2025. Similarly, reported fondling cases increased from 62 to 77.
In 2025, Ohio State reported 25 cases of rape, eight cases of alcohol violation arrests, 456 alcohol violation disciplinary referrals and 82 stalking cases, according to the report.
Compared with 2024, reported cases of stalking increased by over 15 percent, up from 71 cases, according to the report. Rape cases decreased nearly 40 percent, while alcohol violation arrests decreased by just over 87 percent and disciplinary referrals decreased right above 28 percent.?
Last year, 2025, was the third consecutive year that alcohol violation arrests decreased, falling from 62 reported cases in 2024 to eight, according to Hedman.?
“Numbers fluctuate year to year, and it appears there were fewer arrests related to football games and events,” Hedman said.?
Hazing incidents are now required to be reported under the Clery Act, with Ohio State reporting three in 2025, according to the report.?
“The federal Stop Campus Hazing Act amended the Clery Act to include hazing as a reportable crime statistical category beginning in calendar year 2025, to first be included in the 2026 Annual Security Report,” Hedman said.?
Ohio State continues to expand its safety resources on and around campus for students, faculty and staff, Hedman said.?
Ohio State University Police Division has increased its police presence around campus and worked with the Columbus Division of Police to increase patrol off campus, Hedman said.
“[Ohio State University Police Division] has an authorized strength of 78 sworn police officers supported by non-sworn security and an on-campus dispatch center with more than 5,000 cameras,” Hedman said.
The Buckeye Block Watch program, which uses security teams trained in public engagement, mental health responses, first aid and CPR, was renewed by the university, Hedman said.?
Discounted late-night rides through Lyft Ride Smart, free window and door alarms and personal safety devices are also provided for students who live off campus, Hedman said.?
“Crime on and off campus has significantly decreased since the initiation of our enhanced resources in fall 2021,” Hedman said.
