Stalking is reported as the offense with the highest incidence at Oakland University, according to the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, standing in contrast with a drop of liquor law violations totaling zero during 2024.
According to the latest report, which covers crime statistics from 2022 to 2024, there were 20 reported instances of stalking in the past year, a significant increase from the nine reported in 2023 and eight in 2022. There were also eight reported cases of rape on campus in 2024, following five cases reported in 2023 and 2022.
“The OUPD, as well as residence hall staff and other offices in the Student Affairs Division, sponsor regular sessions for the campus community relating to personal safety awareness; security awareness; self-defense, and selfprotection; Rape Aggression Defense Program (RAD); sexual assault prevention,” OUPD said in its annual report.
Published in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, every year the university compiles information about criminal offenses and prevention tactics to keep the campus community informed about safety resources and procedures.
With zero murders, zero drug, liquor or illegal weapon violations and only one robbery, the annual report dedicated 20 of its 57 pages to the identification, prevention and reporting procedures of sexual violence and stalking.
“Oakland University attempts to provide a secure and hospitable environment for its students,” OUPD wrote in the report. “Michigan law and the University prohibit the offenses of rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.”
For this, a team of 22 law enforcement professionals — 14 uniformed officers, one detective, four sergeants, two lieutenants and the Chief of Police — works 24/7 in conjunction with other local and university agencies to ensure the prevention and prosecution of such crimes.
Educational programs are the first measure of prevention and awareness tactics. Nineteen different ongoing programs offered by the university cover topics from interpersonal violence and rape aggression defense to working with LGBT+ patients and human trafficking. These programs, offered on campus, off-site and remotely, help the campus community identify possible threats and teach how to prevent such instances.
“Bystander intervention means safe and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking,” OUPD said in its report. “Bystander intervention includes recognizing situations of potential harm, understanding cultural conditions that facilitate violence, overcoming barriers to intervening, identifying safe and effective intervention options, and taking action to intervene.”
Emergency blue light phones and the OUPD dispatch number (248-370-3331) stand as a second line of prevention while also offering prompt and confidential options for reporting crimes. Several pages are dedicated to best practices while reporting a crime and the rights and procedures of violence survivors.
“Anyone who is the victim of a crime and who does not wish to pursue action within the University judicial system or the criminal justice system can make a confidential report,” OUPD wrote. “The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to enhance the future safety of yourself and others.”
With two fondling cases, two domestic violence instances and two dating violence reports on campus in the last year, sexual violence remains the category with the highest incidence rates. In contrast, burglary, motor vehicle theft and liquor and drug violations dropped to zero in the past year.
“A safe university environment cannot be achieved solely by the OUPD. The safest environment is achieved with the involvement and cooperation of all members of the campus community,” OUPD said in its annual report. “Every member of the campus community, including without limitation faculty, students, staff and campus visitors must assume responsibility for their own personal safety, and the security of their belongings by taking simple, common sense precautions.”
For more information and to see the full report, please visit the OUPD website https://oakland.edu/police/.
