Germany's Bundeswehr study finds widespread sexual harassment and abuse among female soldiers

Germany's defence minister has pledged a zero-tolerance approach after a new study found widespread sexual harassment and abuse within the Bundeswehr. The research, described as the first comprehensive study of its kind into the armed forces, was released this week and focuses on experiences inside the military ranks. It comes at a time when Germany is trying to increase recruitment in response to global threats.

The study was carried out by the Centre for Military History and Social Sciences in Potsdam and surveyed thousands of service members. It found that more than 60% of female soldiers reported some form of sexual harassment or abuse while on duty. Nearly 40% of the 4,000 women who responded said they had received suggestive comments and sexualised remarks, while 15% reported harassment involving mobile phone pictures taken without consent and, in some cases, altered using artificial intelligence.

The findings also pointed to physical and sexual violence in a smaller but still significant share of cases. Just over 8% of the women surveyed said they had been physically attacked, and 2% said they had been victims of sexual violence. Around 19% of male soldiers reported similar misconduct, while non-binary and gay soldiers were said to be disproportionately affected.

Boris Pistorius, the defence minister, said the figures were unacceptable, particularly for a military seeking to expand its numbers. The report matters because it lands at a sensitive moment for Germany's armed forces. The Bundeswehr has received billions of euros in funding to improve both personnel levels and equipment, and military leaders have set a target of 260,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists by 2035.

That goal is intended to help avoid the introduction of conscription, making recruitment and retention central to defence planning. A study suggesting that harassment remains widespread could complicate those efforts. Pistorius said he was struck by the finding that women in units with a higher proportion of women were less frequently affected.

He said that argued in favour of recruiting more women into the Bundeswehr, rather than treating the problem as a reason to step back from the issue. He also said some colleagues had advised him to drop the study because of concerns it would damage the military's reputation, but he rejected that approach as turning a blind eye. In his view, that would cause greater harm in the long term.

The minister said the study would be repeated every year, indicating that the findings are likely to remain under close scrutiny. What remains unclear is how quickly the armed forces will translate the report into practical changes across units and command structures. It is also not yet clear whether the survey will lead to disciplinary action, new reporting mechanisms or wider reforms aimed at improving conditions for women and other affected groups.

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