According to NYPD data comparing January of 2025 to January of 2024, crime decreased citywide - besides rape.

NYPD data shows a 40.6% increase in rapes citywide from January 2025 (149) to January 2024 (106).

More NYPD data also shows rapes increased this year compared to last year in Brooklyn North, Brooklyn South and the Bronx.

News 12 exclusively talks to Saloni Sethi, the New York City Mayor's Commissioner to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence to discuss the possible reasons behind the increase.

While the increase may seem alarming, Sethi says it may be an indication the conversation around rape is changing.

"I think, you know, it seems counterintuitive, but we actually expect that if we're doing our work right and we're reaching more people, that we will actually see more people coming forward," said Sethi.

Experts like Lynn Fredrick Hawley, the executive director at Mount Sinai's Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program say not all rapes get reported right away.

"It's all up to the survivor. You don't have to report if you don't want to. You can have evidence collected and then it's held onto for 20 years, if you eventually decide if you want to make a police report or not," said Hawley.

The NYPD says the "Rape is Rape" legislation that passed in September may also contribute to the increase.

"New York state was a state where only vaginal penetration counted as rape, which means oral penetration and anal penetration didn't count as rape," said Sethi.

Sethi says one rape is too many.

"Trust your gut. You know, if you've been violated and that is your call to say if something is not okay for you, it is not OK," said Sethi.

For more information on resources available, head to the city's website.