Politics · Germany · 9 hrs ago
Germany pledges action after survey finds widespread military sexual misconduct
A survey by the German military found that 40% of female soldiers experienced sexual misconduct in the past year.
The survey questioned 45,000 serving personnel and found that about 19% of male soldiers had also experienced misconduct, with non-heterosexual soldiers particularly affected.
The reported conduct ranged from verbal harassment to unwanted touching, and 2% of women surveyed reported sexual violence.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said cases may be three to five times higher than official reports because many incidents go unreported.
Germany is expanding its armed forces and trying to attract more young women, making the findings a challenge to those efforts.
Pistorius promised easier ways to report abuse and better tracking of responses, as well as more advice for people who report it.
He said commanders who tolerate misconduct or fail to deal with it consistently would lose their leadership positions.
A German military study found widespread sexual misconduct among serving personnel, prompting Defence Minister Boris Pistorius to promise new measures.
The study, based on questions sent to 45,000 personnel, found that 40% of female soldiers experienced at least one episode of sexual misconduct in the past 12 months.
It also found that 19% of male soldiers experienced similar misconduct, with non-heterosexual soldiers disproportionately affected.
Pistorius said reported cases were only a fraction of the actual number and pledged easier reporting, better tracking and more responsibility for commanders.
A separate t-online article cited higher figures from the study, including more than 70% of surveyed female soldiers reporting sexual harassment and one-third of male soldiers reporting misconduct.
- Who
- Germany’s armed forces and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
- What
- A military study found widespread sexual misconduct, and Pistorius promised new measures to address it.
- When
- Nov. 11, 2026. The study covered experiences in the past 12 months.
- Where
- Germany’s armed forces; Pistorius spoke to reporters in Berlin.
- Why
- The findings showed widespread misconduct and suggested actual cases were far higher than officially reported.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The German government approved plans for voluntary military service aimed at doubling trained reservists to around 200,000, alongside a target of at least 260,000 active-duty soldiers.
The military’s Centre of Military History and Social Sciences reported its survey findings on sexual misconduct.
Pistorius promised measures to make reporting easier, track responses and increase commanders’ responsibility to act.
- Survey respondents
- 45,000 serving military personnel were sent questions
- Female soldiers
- 40% experienced at least one episode of sexual misconduct in the past 12 months, according to Straits Times
- Male soldiers
- 19% experienced similar misconduct, according to Straits Times
- Reported cases
- Pistorius said actual cases were three to five times the number officially reported
- t-online figures
- More than 70% of surveyed female soldiers reported sexual harassment; 9% were physically attacked and 2% experienced sexual violence
- Military targets
- At least 260,000 active-duty soldiers and around 200,000 trained reservists
4 sources
What people are saying
We are currently seeing a rise in the number of reported cases. This is unacceptable,
We are talking here about three to five times as many cases as have actually been reported. Unsurprisingly, young women in the lower ranks are particularly affected,
To me, it is clear that this study on the unreported cases was the starting point; it was the beginning, not the end of the matter,
Anyone who fails to set an example, or who even tolerates misconduct or fails to deal with it consistently, will no longer hold a leadership position,