German military study finds widespread sexual misconduct in Bundeswehr

A Bundeswehr study into unreported cases of sexual misconduct has found that the problem is far more widespread than previously known, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told the Bundestag on Wednesday.

"It was clear to us from the outset that the analysis would uncover uncomfortable truths," Pistorius said.

The study was conducted by the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences (ZMSBw), which surveyed 45,000 service members. Around 18% responded, and more than 8,100 questionnaires were evaluated, supplemented with individual and group interviews. According to the institute, the data are scientifically representative.

Pistorius said only between one third and one sixth of cases are reported. "There is zero tolerance for sexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr. This is nothing less than a matter of upholding the human dignity enshrined in our Basic Law. And that principle applies all the more within the Bundeswehr," he said.

Younger women in the lower ranks are particularly affected, according to the study. Among men, non-heterosexual soldiers are disproportionately affected. The perpetrators are predominantly male. Statistically, combat units do not differ from the rest of the armed forces. Female service members in units with a higher proportion of women (more than 15%) are less likely to be affected.

Verbal harassment is the most common form of misconduct. Some 72% of female soldiers and 31% of male soldiers said they had experienced verbal harassment at least once during their military service. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 38% of female soldiers and 16% of male soldiers reported experiencing verbal sexual harassment. 9% of female soldiers and 3% of male soldiers reported incidents of physical sexual misconduct. 2% of both women and men said they had experienced sexual violence.

The most commonly cited reason for not reporting was a desire not to draw attention to themselves. Pistorius said there appears to be a lack of awareness of reporting channels and a lack of trust in those channels.

The Bundeswehr plans to improve awareness of how and where cases can be reported. A counseling center established in early November will soon be available around the clock. Supervisors are to receive enhanced awareness training and improved instruction. "Sexual misconduct will become part of training at every level, from the very beginning," said Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer.

The way supervisors handle reported cases will become a standing criterion in their performance evaluations. "Anyone who fails to lead by example, tolerates misconduct, or does not address it consistently will no longer hold a leadership position," Pistorius stressed.

The Greens, who are in opposition in the Bundestag, are calling for an external reporting office. Defence policy spokesperson Sara Nanni called for "an external reporting office, alongside the regular disciplinary process, with investigative powers and the authority to take disciplinary action where appropriate."

The current Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte, described the figures as "dramatically high." He said the findings show "that there is a lack of trust in the Bundeswehr's structures. The Ministry of Defence must now take this study seriously and translate its findings into a leadership culture that is truly lived in practice."

The study was prompted by a growing number of reports received by former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces Eva Högl, most of them from female soldiers. Högl called for the study into unreported cases in 2024. The process gained momentum following incidents at the Parachute Regiment in Zweibrücken that came to light at the beginning of this year and also involved allegations of sexual misconduct.

Sources

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