Missouri colleges show mixed sexual assault reports as lawmakers weigh changes
Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 01:55 · Archive
Missouri lawmakers are considering policy changes to better protect college students following a high-profile rape case at Cornell University.
A high-profile rape case at Cornell University has prompted Missouri lawmakers to consider changes to sexual assault laws to better protect college students.
Annual security reports from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University's West Plains campus and Saint Louis University show different patterns in reported sexual offences from 2023 through 2025. These figures count Clery-reportable incidents in defined campus areas and are not a measure of every assault experienced by students. MU reported 26 rape, fondling, incest or statutory rape offences in 2023, declining to 17 in 2024 and rising to 20 in 2025. Saint Louis University reported 20, 16 and 11 cases respectively across the same years. Missouri State's West Plains campus reported zero cases in those categories in each of the three years, though it noted some law enforcement agencies did not provide requested statistics.
Stalking reports also varied across institutions. MU reported 25 cases in 2023, 22 in 2024 and 15 in 2025. SLU reported 25, 18 and 18 cases. The West Plains campus reported none.
Students at MU told Gray Media's Missouri Capitol Bureau they were aware of university education and resources about sexual assault but described speaking up as frightening. Missouri's law differs from New York's: under Missouri law, even if a person was voluntarily drunk they cannot consent, and forced sex in such circumstances could be considered rape. In New York, prosecutors may struggle to charge cases where someone was voluntarily intoxicated.
How it is being reported
- Missouri college sexual assault reports show mixed trends as lawmakers weigh policy changesA high-profile rape case at Cornell University is renewing attention to sexual assault laws nationwide, as Missouri lawmakers consider changes they say could better protect college students.KCTV5 · 9 Oct, 01:24
- Missouri college sexual assault reports show mixed trends as lawmakers weigh policy changesA high-profile rape case at Cornell University is renewing attention to sexual assault laws nationwide, as Missouri lawmakers consider changes they say could better protect college students.KY3 · 8 Oct, 23:34
- Missouri college sexual assault reports show mixed trends as lawmakers weigh policy changesA high-profile rape case at Cornell University is renewing attention to sexual assault laws nationwide, as Missouri lawmakers consider changes they say could better protect college students.KCTV5 · 8 Oct, 23:34
In this story: Cornell University · University of Missouri-Columbia · Missouri State University · Saint Louis University · Missouri · New York
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