Mexico City reports fourfold increase in tumultuous rape cases over six years

In the first five months of 2026, the Mexico City prosecutor's office opened 853 rape investigations, including 72 cases of the "tumultuous" modality recorded in 2025. Researchers say the number of victims of this group‑based assault has risen four times since 2018, from 22 to a peak of 108 in 2023. The majority of cases are concentrated in the Cuauhtémoc and Tlalpan districts, with other boroughs also seeing rising figures.

Experts link the surge to social contexts such as nighttime gatherings, alcohol use, and a collective male mentality that discourages reporting. The data underscore a growing challenge for authorities to address group sexual violence in the capital.