The USC Department of Public Safety reported an increase in dating violence and aggravated assault and a decrease in motor vehicle thefts at University Park Campus in 2025 compared to the year prior in its annual report, released Thursday afternoon.
The annual Security and Fire Safety report, a comprehensive yearly update on campus crime policy and statistics, is required by the Clery Act, which requires universities to disclose crime statistics and outline their public safety policies.
“This report reflects our continued efforts to keep you informed about DPS initiatives and the university’s safety resources available to support you,” DPS Chief Lauretta Hill wrote in a message included in the report.
DPS reported 194 motor vehicle thefts on campus in 2025, down from 278 in 2024. After last year’s report was released, David Carlisle, USC Department of Public Safety assistant chief, identified vehicle theft as the department’s biggest concern. Scooters, bicycles and skateboards that are electric or motorized are classified as motor vehicles under the Clery Act.
Carlisle said in a text message that he was not available to take questions about the new report Thursday.
The report also noted 20 on-campus cases of dating violence in 2025, an increase from 13 reported on-campus cases in 2024. Reported on-campus aggravated assault cases rose from 16 to 27 from 2024 to 2025 as well. Cases of stolen public property on campus also increased from four in 2024 to 26 in 2025.
The number of total reported hate crimes, including on- and off-campus incidents also increased from 11 in 2024 to 15 in 2025, according to the report.
A new addition to the report this year was the campus hazing statistic, which counts the reported instances of hazing, defined by the report as an “intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate.”
The statistic is now required under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, an amendment to the Clery Act that became law in late 2024. DPS noted eight total on-campus instances of hazing in 2025.
The Hazing Prevention Course, provided to all students, faculty and staff, offers prevention education services that inform community members of the university’s regulations, according to the report. A Hazing Prevention unit serves as a resource to manage university-wide hazing prevention education and services for communities including fraternities and sororities, Recognized Student Organizations, club sports, athletics and the Trojan Marching Band.
Edited by Sean Campbell and Miranda Huang.