Seton Hall’s 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) report showed that rape, unwanted sexual contact and drug abuse violations decreased while burglary, dating violence and aggravated assault increased. The report, released on Oct. 1, outlines campus safety protocols, procedures for reporting crimes, definitions of offenses, and statistics mandated by the federal Clery Act.
Crime on campus shows mixed trends
Cases of rape on campus property dropped from six in 2024 to two in 2025. Incidents of sexual contact on campus property also decreased from five cases in 2024 to two in 2025. Drug abuse violations, resulting in disciplinary referrals, also decreased from 54 cases in 2024 to 39 cases in 2025 on campus.
However, the report shows a significant increase in burglary (from one case to three), dating violence (from three cases to four) and aggravated assault (from zero cases to two).
How SHU Compares to Peer Institutions
Alongside SHU, several peer institutions in New Jersey, including Rutgers, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Kean University and Montclair State University (MSU) released their ASFSR reports on Oct. 1.
NJIT, which has a student population of 9,827, saw a decrease in drug abuse violations, rape, and dating violence from 2024 to 2025. There were seven drug law disciplinary referrals in 2025, down from 10 in 2024, marking a 30% decrease. Cases of rape decreased from three on campus in 2024 to one off campus in 2025. Two cases of dating violence were reported on public property in 2025.
Similar to SHU, NJIT experienced an increase in burglary on campus, with cases rising 100% from two in 2024 to four in 2025. Notably, the university reported 16 motor vehicle thefts on campus in 2025, whereas SHU had none.
Kean University, with a student population of 11,758, reported the highest number of drug abuse violations among these institutions. There were 32 in 2025, 32 in 2024, and 53 in 2023. Cases of rape remained at three in both 2024 and 2025, compared to two cases in 2023. Dating violence increased, with six reported in 2025, up from zero cases in 2024.
Burglary and aggravated assault remained low for Kean. There were zero aggravated assault cases reported in 2024 and 2025. There was one burglary case reported in 2025 and one in 2024.
Alongside Kean, Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus, which has a student population of 39,477, reported a decrease in burglary cases. There were 16 reported in 2025, compared to 17 in 2024 and 24 in 2023. Stalking cases decreased to six in 2025, from eight in 2024.
Unlike SHU and NJIT, there were zero dating violence cases reported across this period at Rutgers New Brunswick. However, domestic violence increased with 67 cases reported in 2025, compared with 36 in 2024.
On Rutgers’ Newark campus, hosting a student population of 8,138, domestic violence cases decreased from 20 in 2024 to 13 in 2025. Similar to Rutger’s New Brunswick campus, there were zero dating violence cases reported from 2023 to 2025.
While dating violence remained at zero, stalking fluctuated from 2023 to 2025. There were five reported cases in 2025, compared to two in 2024 and 13 in 2023. Burglary also increased, with five reported cases in 2025 and one in 2024.
Montclair State University, which has a student population of 19,048, saw a decrease in burglary reports from 10 in 2024 to five in 2025. Cases of drug abuse violations, resulting in referral for disciplinary action, decreased by 87%, with four cases reported in 2025 and 33 in 2024. Fondling cases remained the same, with five reported on campus in 2025 and 2024.
Reports of rape increased from eight in 2024 to 12 in 2025, while SHU, NJIT, and both Rutgers campuses reported fewer rape cases in 2025 than the previous year. Cases of dating violence also increased by 71%, from 14 in 2024 to 24 in 2025.
In SHU’s ASFSR, Monica Burnette, vice president of student services, said safety remains a priority for the university as it strives to curate an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and professionally.
“Safety and security are always on our minds here at Seton Hall. We have committed resources to help keep our students safe and secure,” Burnette said. “Our Department of Public Safety and Security works diligently to protect students, staff, administrators, and faculty across all Seton Hall campuses.”
Michela DiLorenzo is the head editor of The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at michela.dilorenzo@student.shu.edu.
