Commuters walking near train stations and bus stops across São Paulo during the evening rush often see active police patrols, yet the sense of danger remains palpable, especially for women. Fresh crime data released by the São Paulo Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) reveals a stark contrast across violent crime: while robberies and intentional homicides dropped overall during the first eight months of 2026, sexual assault reports climbed significantly.

Across the state, authorities registered 10,217 rape reports between January and August 2026, up 6% from 9,639 cases in the same period of 2025. The spike was even sharper in the capital city of São Paulo. The municipality logged 2,190 cases in the eight-month stretch, marking a 12.4% rise compared to 1,948 reports last year. In August alone, the city recorded 283 cases, a 17.7% increase compared to August 2025, according to data published by Folha de S.Paulo.

Drop in homicides and robberies

In contrast, statistics for property crimes and robberies resulting in death showed clear improvements over the eight-month timeframe. Robberies resulting in death (latrocínios) across the state dropped 37.2%, falling from 94 victims in 2025 to 59 in 2026. In the city of São Paulo, such killings dropped 23%, from 26 down to 20 victims. Intentional homicides statewide also decreased 8.2% from January to August to 1,549 victims, although August alone registered a 3.6% uptick with 200 deaths.

The Secretariat of Public Security, which oversees São Paulo's civil and military police forces, monitors these statistics and maintains specialized programs for gender-based crimes. For residents seeking support and reporting violence, the following public services are available:

• Women's Defense Precincts (DDMs): specialized stations across the state with in-person desks and 24/7 reporting through the digital DDM platform.
• Ligue 180 Hotline: a free national telephone service providing legal guidance, emergency resources, and confidential complaint filing.
• Immediate Response: emergency dispatch through the Military Police by dialing 190 in active threats.

Meanwhile, statewide femicide cases remained virtually unchanged, with 170 victims recorded between January and August 2026 compared to 168 during the same period in 2025. The diverging figures demonstrate that protecting women from violence inside homes and in transit remains the most critical public safety challenge in São Paulo.