This article contains discussions of relationship violence and stalking.
Friday, Aug. 28, the College of William and Mary’s Division of Public Safety emailed a crime alert to all faculty, staff and students detailing two incidents of stalking on campus from this week.
The William and Mary Police Department received both reports Thursday, Aug. 27.
The first report relates to two or more instances of stalking on campus, with the most recent occurring this week in the Sunken Garden and the Sir Christopher Wren Building Courtyard.
“The victim and the suspect are members of the William & Mary community,” the email read. “This matter has been reported to WMPD for review.”
The second report detailed ongoing cyberstalking and incidents occurring around the Integrated Science Center. Like the first report, both the survivor and suspect are members of the College community.
This email comes after an update shared to the community earlier that hour with the subject, “Updates from the Division of Public Safety.” In this email, the Division of Public Safety described updated crime alert transparency mechanisms to the site.
“Additionally, to enhance awareness across the community, we have added a Crime Alerts & Safety Advisories section to the website,” the email reads. “This resource, along with periodic Timely Warning emails, will inform the campus community of reportable incidents and relevant crime trends that may enable the members of our Tribe to better protect themselves.”
Under the Clery Act, academic institutions are obligated to issue timely alerts to the campus community about ongoing threats to safety.
The email also shared resources for individuals facing relationship violence, such as The Haven, Student Health Center, Title IX Office, and more. The message closed with reminders of how to keep oneself and others safe, adding the WMPD and Williamsburg Police Department numbers.
“Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact WMPD at 757-221-4596.”
UPDATE (08/29/26): Article was updated by Mona Garimella, the Editor-in-Chief, to include context on the College’s previous email blast on notification practices.
