The Bundeswehr’s first study of unreported sexual misconduct also found that 20% of men experienced at least one form in the preceding year. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced a plan of 34 measures.
About 40% of female soldiers and 20% of male soldiers said they experienced at least one form of sexual misconduct in the preceding year, the German military’s first study of unreported cases found. Pistorius presented the findings to the Bundestag Defense Committee on 11 November 2026 and announced an action plan intended to include 34 measures.
Former parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces Eva Högl called for the study in 2024 after receiving a growing number of sexual-misconduct reports, mostly from women. DW said the process gained momentum after incidents involving allegations of sexual misconduct at the Parachute Regiment in Zweibrücken came to light at the beginning of 2026.
The Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences surveyed 45,000 service members, about 18% of whom responded. Researchers evaluated more than 8,100 questionnaires alongside individual and group interviews. The institute said the data were scientifically representative.
| Experience and period | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal harassment during military service | 72% | 31% |
| Verbal sexual harassment in the preceding 12 months | 38% | 16% |
| Physical sexual misconduct in the preceding 12 months | 9% | 3% |
| Sexual violence in the preceding 12 months | 2% | 2% |
Verbal harassment was the most common form. Younger women in lower ranks were particularly affected, as were non-heterosexual men. Reported perpetrators were predominantly male. The study found no statistical difference between combat units and the rest of the armed forces, while women were less likely to be affected in units where women made up more than 15% of personnel.
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Pistorius said the study showed that only between one sixth and one third of cases were reported. The most common reason respondents gave for staying silent was that they did not want to draw attention to themselves. Pistorius said there appeared to be a lack of awareness of reporting channels and identified trust in them as a decisive issue.
The response includes plans to give personnel better information about reporting routes and support. Pistorius said the HELP counseling service began operating in early November outside the Bundeswehr hierarchy. It is intended to offer around-the-clock support seven days a week once fully staffed.
Inspector General Carsten Breuer said sexual misconduct would become part of training at every level from the outset, while supervisors would receive enhanced instruction. Supervisors' handling of reported cases is also to become a regular part of their performance evaluations and affect their prospects for advancement. Pistorius said those who fail to set an example, tolerate misconduct or fail to address it consistently would no longer hold leadership positions.
Greens defense spokesperson Sara Nanni called for an external reporting office alongside the ordinary disciplinary process, with investigative powers and authority to take disciplinary action where appropriate. She said such an office was needed when superiors fail to fulfill their responsibilities. Current parliamentary commissioner Henning Otte called the figures dramatically high, said the findings revealed a lack of trust in military structures and urged the Defense Ministry to put them into leadership practice; he also called for a round-the-clock hotline so affected personnel and supervisors could obtain help quickly.
Pistorius also announced plans for a dedicated investigative group to provide support on site and said research into unreported misconduct would continue.
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