Cornell Survey Shows Rise in Campus Sexual Assault Reports

The latest findings from the 2025 Cornell Survey of Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct reveal an alarming increase in reports of nonconsensual sexual contact among students at Cornell University. The survey indicates that 15% of respondents experienced such contact since enrolling at Cornell, a rise from 11% in 2023. This biennial survey, conducted in compliance with New York state law, reflects the experiences of students across Cornell’s campuses, including Ithaca, Geneva, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Cornell Tech.

The survey, administered during the spring semester to a random sample of 6,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, saw a significant decline in participation. Only 15% of those surveyed responded, resulting in 926 participants, down from 36% in 2023 and 38% in 2021. This drop in engagement has raised concerns about the accuracy of the data, as many respondents opted not to disclose demographic information.

In a statement, Ryan Lombardi, Vice President for Student and Campus Life and co-chair of the Cornell Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention, expressed concern over the rising numbers. “Sexual misconduct of any kind cannot and will not be tolerated in the Cornell community,” he stated. Lombardi emphasized the importance of student participation in surveys to better understand and address campus concerns.

Among the survey results, 35% of undergraduate women reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact during their time at Cornell, a significant increase from 23% in the previous survey. Additionally, 49% of all respondents reported experiences of sexual or gender-based harassment, which is up from 45% in 2023. Reports of stalking behaviors also rose, with 17% of respondents indicating they had encountered such issues, compared to 13% in 2023.

Notably, the proportion of respondents identifying as transgender, gender nonconforming, questioning, or nonbinary increased to 6% in 2025 from 2% in 2021. Despite this increase, the rate of nonconsensual sexual contact reported by these students has declined, with figures falling from 19% in 2021 to 11% in 2025.

The SHARE Office, which focuses on sexual harassment and assault response and education, highlighted the need for comprehensive data to enhance prevention efforts. Laura Weiss, the program director, stated, “When more students take the time to complete campus surveys in full, we gain a clearer understanding of how campus concerns affect our community.” This data is crucial for informing and evolving programs and support services at Cornell.

Efforts to improve awareness of available resources have been underway, yet many students still feel that their experiences are “not serious enough” to warrant reporting. Of those who indicated experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact in 2025, only 23% contacted formal resources, an increase from 11% in 2023, but still below desired levels.

To further address these issues, Cornell has implemented initiatives such as the Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault. Lombardi encourages all students to familiarize themselves with available resources and the ongoing work aimed at creating a supportive campus environment.

Cornell’s approach includes educating the community about bystander intervention and fostering healthier social environments. The university’s Sexual Violence Framework emphasizes victim support, enforcement of policies, and compliance with applicable laws. Resources are centralized on the SHARE website, which provides comprehensive information on education, victim advocacy, emergency services, and reporting options.

As Cornell continues to analyze the survey results, the Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention remains committed to identifying opportunities for improvement in education, intervention, and prevention strategies. Lombardi concluded, “We are working across the Cornell community to cultivate a more supportive campus and promote healthy relationships.”