Content Warning: This timely warning includes descriptions of sexual violence.

In an effort to promote campus safety and provide timely information to our campus community, the following information is being provided so that you can make informed decisions about your safety. We encourage all community members to care for their needs and well-being while reading this message, especially those who have been impacted by similar forms of violence.

CARE provides free and confidential support and advocacy to students, staff, and faculty who have experienced sexual violence, including sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. Please call the 24/7 confidential phone line (805) 893-4613 any time to explore your rights, options, and support. Visit the CARE website for more information.

Information about UCSB’s policies and support resources for sexual violence can be found by visiting the Office of Title IX Compliance & Discrimination and Harassment Prevention website.

Report

This is a Timely Warning regarding a crime that occurred on campus property.

On May 9, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the UCSB Police Department received a report of a rape and strangulation that occurred in campus housing approximately one hour prior to being reported. The suspect and survivor met earlier in the evening at a party in Isla Vista and were otherwise, unknown to one another. At this time, no suspect information is available for release.

UCPD is investigating this crime. If you have information that might assist in the investigation, please contact the UCSB Police Department at (805) 893-3446, or report crime information anonymously.

UCPD reminds the campus community of the following safety tips:

Safety Tips

  • Perpetrators are responsible for sexual assault. Crime victims are never responsible for the behavior of perpetrators.
  • If you start to feel concerns about a person or a situation, trust your instincts and try to remove yourself as quickly as possible from the potential threat, even if it feels awkward to leave.
  • If you are going out alone, make sure that someone knows where you are going, who you will be with, and when you expect to return.
  • If you think someone is at risk of assault or abuse, you should consider it an emergency and act to support that person. You can call the police or ask for help from other people, intervene directly if safe, or create a distraction to help remove the potential victim from the situation.

UCPD shares these Safety Tips while recognizing that perpetrators, and not the victims or survivors, are solely responsible for their actions.

The UCSB Police Department’s CSO Safety Escort Program is a free service provided to members of the UCSB community as a safe alternative to walking alone at night. Call (805) 893-2000 to request a CSO escort. For more information, visit the CSO Safety Escort Program website.

**UCPD encourages printing and posting of this Timely Warning for further community notification.**

WHAT IS THIS NOTICE?

In compliance with the Clery Act, Timely Warnings are issued by the UCSB Police Department when certain (Clery Act) crimes occurring on campus property, properties controlled by campus-affiliated organizations, or public property immediately adjacent to campus are determined to be a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. Timely Warnings are intended to prevent similar crimes and to provide information that will assist community members in protecting themselves.

Manage your UCSB ALERT contact settings at http://alert.ucsb.edu