22 Maryland colleges report 465 rapes, 169 fondling incidents from 2023 to 2025

Twenty-two Maryland colleges reported a total of 465 rapes and 169 fondling incidents from 2023 through 2025, according to data compiled by The Baltimore Sun.

The reports cover main campuses of four-year public or nonprofit institutions with at least 1,000 students, subject to the federal Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, and include at least 256 on-campus rapes.

Among local institutions, the University of Maryland, College Park reported 52 rapes and 34 fondling incidents, Towson University reported 33 rapes and 17 fondling incidents, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County reported 36 rapes.

Advocates for survivors say these numbers significantly understate the prevalence of sexual assault, as the data only includes reported offenses within specific geographic areas and excludes unreported assaults.

In response, Governor Wes Moore has directed the Maryland Higher Education Commission to recommend improvements to campus sexual assault policies within 90 days of his October 14 order.

The data highlights ongoing concerns about campus safety in Maryland and signals potential policy changes to address sexual assault in higher education institutions.