The overall crime rate at California State University, Stanislaus saw a decline in the past year, but the number of forcible sexual assaults was on the rise, according to the university’s annual Campus Security Report.

At Stanislaus State, the number of sexual assaults rose from two in 2013 to seven in 2014, but University officials believe the increase is more likely born of new practices and standards that make it easier for victims to report sexual attacks, rather than a straight increase in the number of assaults.

“Even one sexual assault is too many, but the campus community has worked hard to create a culture that empowers people to be safe and encourages victims to come forward,” said Andy Roy, the University’s chief of police.

Roy cited the student-led Warrior Watch program, an anti-violence video produced by and featuring athletes, and the hiring of a confidential victim advocate this past year as examples of actions taken to empower and support the University community. In addition, the University’s Title IX compliance officer meets with those who want to discuss a matter of sexual violence, stalking, domestic violence or an array of other concerns.

All of the seven rapes reported last year occurred in the campus’ residential dorms and as of yet, there have been no arrests made in any of the seven cases, Roy said.

Last year, California became the first to require colleges and universities to apply an “affirmative consent” or “yes means yes” standard when investigating campus sexual assault claims. That policy says sexual activity is only considered consensual when both partners clearly state their willingness to participate through “affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement” at every stage.

“Stanislaus State, with more than 10,000 members in our campus community, remains a very safe campus,” Roy said. “The data bear that out, but even more important, the attitudes and helpfulness of our campus community bear that out.”

There was only one other Part I crime that saw an increase at the University in 2014. The number of burglaries rose from three in 2013 to four in 2014. The campus saw zero murders and manslaughters last year. The number of robberies fell from two in 2013 to zero in 2014; aggravated assaults, zero in 2014, compared with one in 2013; motor vehicle thefts, down from four to two.

The University had zero incidents of domestic violence, stalking and dating violence last year. In 2013, the campus had one incident each of these types of crimes.

The number of liquor law violations at the University grew in 2014. The University Police Department made two arrests and 91 referrals for liquor law violations in 2014, compared to one arrest and 69 referrals the year prior. The number of drug violations decreased from one arrest and six referrals in 2013, to one arrest and zero referrals. The University had two arrests for weapon violations, up from zero the year before.

The California State University, Stanislaus Police Department employs 12 full-time, sworn police officers, two 911 Dispatchers, and two Community Service Officers. Their primary jurisdiction is the University campus, but they also patrol surrounding neighborhoods and work with the Turlock Police Department as part of a mutual aid agreement. University officers have direct radio communications with the city police, fire department, and ambulance services to facilitate rapid response in any emergency situation.