The key facts

  • Survey of 45,000 service members: only between one-sixth and one-third of sexual harassment cases are officially reported
  • 72% of women and 31% of men experienced verbal harassment during their service
  • Pistorius announced a plan of action; the Greens are demanding an external body with investigative powers

What the first study on unreported cases revealed

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday presented to the Bundestag's defence committee the results of the first Bundeswehr study on unreported ('latent') cases of sexual harassment in the ranks. According to him, only between one-sixth and one-third of actual cases are officially reported. 'From the very beginning it was clear to us that the analysis would uncover uncomfortable truths,' Pistorius said, announcing a plan of action and emphasising 'zero tolerance' for such misconduct.

Methodology and key figures

The survey was conducted by the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences (ZMSBw): 45,000 service members were surveyed, about 18% responded, and more than 8,100 questionnaires were evaluated, supplemented by individual and group interviews. According to the institute, the sample is scientifically representative. Young women of lower ranks are the most vulnerable; among men, non-heterosexual service members are disproportionately affected. In units where the share of women exceeds 15%, women are less frequently subjected to harassment. Verbal harassment is the most common form: 72% of women and 31% of men experienced it at least once during their service; in the 12 months before the survey, the figures were 38% and 16% respectively. Physical harassment was reported by 9% of women and 3% of men, and sexual violence by 2% of both women and men. The main reasons for silence are reluctance to draw attention to oneself and, according to Pistorius's conclusion, a lack of trust in reporting channels.

Reaction and measures taken

The Bundeswehr plans to improve awareness of how to file complaints. The opposition Greens criticise precisely this: defence policy spokesperson Sara Nanni is demanding an 'external complaints body' with powers to investigate and take disciplinary measures — for cases when commanders fail to fulfil their duties. Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Carsten Breuer said that sexual misconduct will become part of training at all levels from the very start of service, and the counselling centre established in early November will soon operate around the clock. The handling of complaints will become a permanent criterion in the evaluation of commanders: according to Pistorius, anyone who tolerates misconduct or fails to respond to it will no longer hold a leadership position.

Context and assessments

The impetus for the study was the increase in appeals to the former Bundestag Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl; most of those who approached her were female service members, and she called for the study of unreported cases in 2024. Additional momentum came from incidents in the paratrooper regiment in Zweibrücken, which became known at the beginning of this year and also included allegations of sexual harassment. The current commissioner, Henning Otte, called the figures 'dramatically high' and stated that the defence ministry must turn the study's findings into a leadership culture that is genuinely applied. The study may complicate the recruitment of women into the military, which is in acute need of personnel: women remain noticeably underrepresented in almost all branches of the armed forces.