The key facts

  • More than 60% of surveyed female Bundeswehr service members reported sexual harassment during their service
  • The real scale of the problem, according to Inspector General Carsten Breuer, is 3–5 times higher than official statistics
  • Defense Minister Pistorius presented an action plan: prevention, clear investigation procedures, and support for victims

Scale of the problem according to the survey

More than 60% of female Bundeswehr service members said they had been subjected to sexual harassment during their service. These are the results of an anonymous online survey by the Center for Military History and Social Sciences in Potsdam, commissioned by former Bundestag Commissioner for Defense Eva Högl shortly before the end of her term in 2024. The study was presented by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Of about 25,000 service members surveyed, roughly 18% responded; researchers consider the sample representative, noting that some respondents were no longer serving at the time of the survey.

Four levels of violations

Researchers divided the violations into four categories. Almost 40% of surveyed women and 16% of men reported sexualized remarks and obscene comments. Another 15% reported harassment involving images — taken against their will or altered using artificial intelligence. Physical harassment was reported by 9% of women and 3% of men, and direct sexual violence by 2% of both women and men. Pistorius noted that young women of lower ranks suffer most often, and among men, non-heterosexual service members; the perpetrators, in his words, are 'the overwhelming majority — men.'

Underreported statistics and distrust of commanders

About a third of respondents said they would not report violations because they do not trust their superiors or doubt the seriousness of investigations. Inspector General Carsten Breuer estimated the real scale of sexualized violations to be 3–5 times higher than the number of registered cases. This came against the backdrop of the Bundeswehr's expansion and its acute need for young recruits; industry representatives fear the report may deter women from joining the service. In September, Breuer officially declared the situation 'unacceptable' in an official order.

Action plan and politicians' reactions

Pistorius presented an action plan along three lines. The first is prevention: the topic of sexualized violations will become a mandatory part of training programs at all levels from the very start of service. The second is the professionalization of investigations with clear contacts and procedures; disciplinary punishments are to be publicly announced before the unit. The third is support for victims: an anonymous reporting point is being discussed, and at the end of October Breuer urgently launched the 'HELP' hotline for reporting harassment and counseling; for now it operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in the future it is planned to make it available around the clock. Pistorius stated that anyone who does not set an example or tolerates violations 'will no longer hold a leadership position.' The Greens, including defense policy spokesperson Sara Nanni, are demanding an external complaints body outside the chain of command; CDU/CSU representative Thomas Erndl supported the planned round-the-clock intervention center. According to the minister, the study is planned to be repeated regularly.