Crime Alerts & Safety Advisories

Safety Advisory - Sextortion Targeting College Campuses - August 27, 2026

Crime Alert - Stalking - August 27, 2026

Emailed to the campus community on August 28, 2026

CRIME ALERT: STALKING

Note: This report contains information that some may find unsettling. If you are a victim of relationship violence, including stalking, please utilize the resources listed below or file a Title IX report.

WMPD has received two distinct reports of stalking on campus this week.  Each incident is described below.

Incident #1

On August 27, 2026, the William & Mary Police Department received a report that two or more incidents of stalking occurred on the Williamsburg campus. The most recent incidents were reported to have occurred this week in the Sunken Garden and in the Wren Courtyard.  The victim and the suspect are members of the William & Mary community. This matter has been reported to WMPD for review. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact WMPD at 757-221-4596.

Incident #2      

August 27, 2026, the William & Mary Police Department received a report of ongoing cyberstalking and incidents of stalking that occurred on the Williamsburg campus around the Integrated Science Center (ISC).  The victim and the suspect are members of the William & Mary community. This matter has been reported to WMPD for investigation.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact WMPD at 757.221.4596.

 Resources

William & Mary Police Dispatch                        757.221.4596

William & Mary Division of Public Safety       757.221.4596

William & Mary The Haven                                  757.221.2449

William & Mary Counseling Center                 757.221.3620

William & Mary Student Health                        757.221.2998

William & Mary Title IX Coordinator               757.221.4977

Avalon Center                                                          757.258.5051

Rave Guardian Personal Safety Application

William & Mary Division of Public Safety provides this notice to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur on our campus that represent a serious or ongoing threat to the community.

Submit a Title IX report

William & Mary campus community is always encouraged to take the following steps to keep yourself and others safe:

• Know the signs of a healthy relationship (trust, honesty, independence, respect) and an unhealthy relationship (intensity, possessiveness, manipulation, isolation).
• Know when conduct escalates to something more serious– repeated, unwanted attention that causes fear.
• Know the red flags of stalking – persistent contact, surveillance, boundary violations and obsessive behaviors.
• Online stalking (Cyberstalking) includes persistent tagging, private messaging after being asked to stop, creating fake profiles to circumvent being block, doxxing, or attempts to access private information through hacking or social engineering.
• Making changes to daily routines to avoid interactions with the individual is a sign that the conduct is becoming more concerning to the victim, even if they have not stated they are fearful.
• Speak up and say something when you see warning signs of stalking.
• Trust your instincts if something feels like it is escalating.
• If you feel unsafe in any situation, call WMPD at 757.221.4596 or the Williamsburg Police at 757.220.2331 or 911.

Please review the William & Mary’s Division of Public Safety for additional safety awareness information and resources.

Crime Alert - Sexual Assault - Rape - August 29, 2026

Emailed to the campus community on August 31, 2026

CRIME ALERT – SEXUAL ASSAULT - RAPE

Note: This report contains information that some may find unsettling. If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can access resources listed below or file a Title IX report.

Incident

On August 29, 2026, at 6:08 p.m., the William & Mary Police Department received a report of a sexual assault of a member of the William & Mary community on the Williamsburg campus in the early morning hours of August 29^th.  Information disclosed here is limited to protect the identity, privacy, and rights of the survivor.

As reported, this incident meets the elements of Rape as defined in Virginia Code 18.2-61.

This matter is under investigation by WMPD. If you believe you may have information about this incident, contact WMPD at 757-221-4596.

 Confidential Resources

William & Mary The Haven (confidential)                 Make an Appointment

William & Mary Counseling Center                             757.221.3620

William & Mary Student Health                                    757. 221.2998

Other Resources

William & Mary Police Dispatch                                   757.221.4596

William & Mary Division of Public Safety                  757.221.4596

Rave Guardian Personal Safety Application

William & Mary Title IX Coordinator                           jmjob@wm.edu

Submit a Title IX report

William & Mary’s Division of Public Safety provides this notice to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur on campus that represent a serious or ongoing threat to the community.

William & Mary campus community is always encouraged to remember this information and take the following steps to keep yourself and others safe:

• Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim.
• Alcohol and drugs may be used to create vulnerability to sexual assaults.
• Consent cannot be given if someone is incapacitated due to alcohol or drugs or other mental condition or unconscious.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid isolated areas. Excuse yourself from situations that make you feel uncomfortable, pressured or threatened.
• Attend parties and events with friends you can trust. Look out for one another and try to leave the event with your group, rather than alone or with someone you do not know very well.
• Be an active bystander for potential survivors and offenders of sexual violence. If you notice a friend that may be losing control, be ready to intervene and assist them in leaving if needed. Make sure to have a plan for how to reconnect if separated.
• Report suspicious behavior, even when you are not directly threatened.
• Trust your gut. If you feel uneasy or sense something is wrong, do not be afraid to be assertive or hurt someone’s feelings. Do what you can to get yourself and those who may be with you out of that situation or call for assistance.
• If you feel unsafe in any situation, call WMPD at 757.221.4596 or the Williamsburg Police at 757.220.2331 or 911.
• You have many options for supportive measures and confidential reporting

Please review the William & Mary’s Division of Public Safety web page for additional safety awareness information and resources.

Crime Alert - Sexual Assault - Rape - September 25, 2026

Emailed to the campus community on September 28, 2026

CRIME ALERT – SEXUAL ASSAULT - RAPE

Note: This report contains information that some may find unsettling. If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can access resources listed below or file a Title IX report.

Incident

On Friday, September 25, 2026 at approximately 1:00 p.m. the William & Mary Police Department was notified that a sexual assault was reported to have occurred on the Williamsburg campus on the evening of Friday, September 11, 2026. The incident is reported to have occurred in a residential building.  The survivor and the offender were known to one another and are best described as acquaintances.  Information disclosed here is limited to protect the identity, privacy, and rights of the survivor.

As reported, this incident meets the elements of Rape as defined in Virginia Code 18.2-61.

Confidential Resources

William & Mary The Haven (confidential)                         Make an Appointment

William & Mary Counseling Center                                      757.221.3620

William & Mary Student Health                                              757.221.4386

Other Resources

William & Mary Police Dispatch                                            757.221.4596

William & Mary Division of Public Safety                         757.221.4596

William & Mary Title IX Coordinator                                   jmjob@wm.edu

Submit a Title IX report

William & Mary’s Division of Public Safety provides this notice to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur on campus that represent a serious or ongoing threat to the community.

William & Mary campus community is always encouraged to remember this information and take the following steps to keep yourself and others safe:

• Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim.
• Alcohol and drugs may be used to create vulnerability to sexual assaults.
• Consent cannot be given if someone is incapacitated due to alcohol or drugs or other mental condition or unconscious.
• Know and respect your partner's sexual limits. Over half of reporting survivors are assaulted by an intimate partner or acquaintance.
• Communication about boundaries and what you each are comfortable with is critical. You have the right to say “no” and consent can be withdrawn at any point without the need for justification.
• If you are unsure or the consent is unclear, ask your partner. If you feel you are crossing the line of consent or boundaries set, you are most likely.
• The presence of coercion, force or threat invalidates consent.
• Excuse yourself from situations that make you feel uncomfortable, pressured or threatened.
• Attend parties and events with friends you can trust. Look out for one another and try to leave the event with your group, rather than alone or with someone you do not know very well.
• Be an active bystander for potential survivors and offenders of sexual violence. If you notice a friend that may be losing control, be ready to intervene and assist them in leaving if needed. Make sure to have a plan for how to reconnect if separated.
• Report suspicious behavior, even when you are not directly threatened.
• Trust your gut. If you feel uneasy or sense something is wrong, do not be afraid to be assertive or hurt someone’s feelings. Do what you can to get yourself and those who may be with you out of that situation or call for assistance.
• If you feel unsafe in any situation, call WMPD dispatch at 757.221.4596 or the Williamsburg Police at 757.220.2331 or 911.
• You have many options for supportive measures and confidential reporting

Please review the William & Mary’s Division of Public Safety web page for additional safety awareness information and resources.

Safety Advisory - Pedestrian & E-Scooter Safety - October 9, 2026

What is a Crime Alert?

A Crime Alert is a way for the university to notify members of the W&M community about serious crimes — including Clery Act Timely Warnings and other crimes —  that have occurred on or around campus where it is determined that the incident may pose a serious or ongoing threat. Therefore, the vast majority of crimes that occur on and around campus will not result in a Crime Alert. The purpose of these alerts is to increase awareness in a way that will aid in the prevention of future crimes by giving all members of our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety.  

What are Safety Advisories? 

Safety Advisories inform the community of broader significant crime and safety trends in the local area or on college campuses around the nation.  Examples include scams, online crimes, hoax threats, and pedestrian safety. Safety Advisories will typically be published to the Public Safety website vice via email. 

Are Crime Alerts sent immediately after a crime is reported?

Unlike TribeAlerts, Crime Alerts are not sent immediately. While it is important that the information goes out in a timely manner, sufficient information must be gathered to determine whether a Crime Alert is appropriate and necessary. A delay may also occur so as not to impede an impending criminal investigation. In addition, crimes sometimes are not immediately reported. The length of time that has passed between when the incident occurred and when it was reported is also an important factor in whether a Crime Alert is issued.  

How are Crime Alerts distributed? 

Crime Alerts are sent by email to all students, faculty, and staff. Crime Alerts are also posted on the Public Safety website.  

Why is there limited information in most Crime Alerts? 

Crime Alerts contain only the information needed to raise awareness that a serious crime, or series of crimes, has occurred. Crime Alerts are not intended to be all-inclusive accounts of the incident or situation. To respect the privacy of those involved, only the information that is deemed essential to aid in the prevention of future crimes is included in a Crime Alert.

Is this update due to a change in laws? 

This is part of The Division of Public Safety's ongoing work to more effectively inform, engage and educate the community and is directly intended to build a culture of awareness and shared responsibility.  

How do Crime Alerts and Safety Advisories differ from TribeAlerts? 

TribeAlerts are reserved for emergency notifications involving a potential immediate threat to life.  Such situations include an active shooter threat on or near campus and public safety incidents such as fire, bomb threats, hazardous material events, a severe incident at the Dominion Energy Surry Power Station, and tornado warnings.  TribeAlerts are distributed through Rave Mobile Safety and may be sent through email, text, visual display takeovers, the W&M website, etc. 

What is the crime rate like at W&M?  

Our crime rate on and around campus remains low.  For more information about reported crimes, security and fire safety, please see the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report.