Study finds widespread sexual misconduct in German military

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 05:08 · Archive

A study of Germany's Bundeswehr found 40% of female soldiers and 20% of male soldiers experienced sexual misconduct in the past year.

A comprehensive study into Germany's armed forces has revealed that sexual misconduct is significantly more widespread than official reports indicate. The research, conducted by the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences, surveyed over 8,100 soldiers and found that sexual misconduct was three to six times more common than reported figures suggest.

According to the findings, 40% of female soldiers and roughly 20% of male soldiers experienced at least one form of sexual misconduct in the previous year. This includes unwanted sexual comments, sexual images, unwanted touching and sexual violence. The study found that 2% of both women and men reported experiencing sexual violence specifically. Non-heterosexual soldiers were disproportionately affected, and younger women in lower ranks were particularly vulnerable. Research also showed that female soldiers in units with a higher proportion of women were less frequently affected.

The study examined the 'dark figure' of cases that never reach official statistics. Researchers found that only between one-sixth and one-third of sexual incidents were reported, depending on the type of misconduct. Victims cited multiple reasons for not reporting: many did not want to draw attention to themselves, feared consequences, or doubted that reporting would lead to action. More than 45,000 soldiers were contacted for the anonymous survey conducted between 13 July and 27 August, with roughly 18% responding.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius presented the findings to parliament's defence committee alongside the country's top military officer, Carsten Breuer. Pistorius acknowledged a 'systemic problem' in how the military handles complaints, citing military structures and traditional responses from some commanders as partly to blame. He called the figures 'unacceptable', particularly given that Germany is trying to recruit more soldiers, including more women, to rebuild its military capacity.

Pistorius announced a 34-point plan to address the issue, promising 'zero tolerance' for sexual misconduct. The measures include a new advice service outside the usual military chain of command to make it easier for victims to report incidents and track what action is being taken. The plan aims to improve protection for victims and strengthen the military's response to complaints.

How it is being reported

• More than 60% of Germany’s female soldiers report harassment or abuseDefence minister says extent of sexual misconduct found by study is ‘unacceptable’, as military tries to attract more recruits Germany’s defence minister has promised a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual abuse in the armed forces after a study found soldiers, particularly women, faced extensive harassment within the ranks. The first comprehensive study of its kind into the Bundeswehr, conducted by the Centre for Military History and Social Sciences in Potsdam and released this week, comes as the military is trying to attract new recruits in response to global threats. Continue reading...Guardian World · 13 Nov, 05:00
• Bundeswehr study exposes widespread sexual harassment in German militarySexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr is far more widespread than previously known, with younger women disproportionately affected. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has called for a policy of "zero tolerance."DW News · 12 Nov, 08:45
• Germany vows action after military report exposes widespread sexual abuseThe report found that 40 per cent of female soldiers had experienced at least one episode of sexual misconduct in the past 12 monthsIndependent World · 11 Nov, 15:57
• Study finds widespread Bundeswehr sexual misconductSome 40% of female soldiers and 20% of male soldiers said they had experienced at least one form of sexual misconduct in the past year.Politico Europe · 11 Nov, 13:45

In this story: Boris Pistorius · Carsten Breuer · Bundeswehr · Germany

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