More than 60% of Germany’s female soldiers report harassment or abuse

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.

It found that more than 60% of female soldiers had reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or abuse while on duty, ranging from sexually explicit remarks and degrading rituals to sexual violence.

Nearly 40% of the 4,000 women who responded to the survey said they had been addressed with suggestive comments and sexualised remarks, while 15% reported being harassed with mobile phone pictures taken against their will and in some cases altered using AI.

Just over 8% reported having been physically attacked, and 2% said they had been the victims of sexual violence.

Around 19% of male ‌soldiers had experienced a similar form of sexual misconduct, with non-binary or gay soldiers disproportionately affected, the study found.

Boris Pistorius, the defence minister, said the figures were “unacceptable”, in particular for a military that is trying to considerably increase its numbers. The Bundeswehr has pumped billions into boosting both personnel and equipment. Military bosses have set a target of 260,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists by 2035, in the hope of avoiding the introduction of conscription.

Pistorius said he was struck by the finding that women in units with a higher proportion of other women were less frequently affected, which he said “argues in favour of recruiting more women into the Bundeswehr”.

He said he had been advised by some colleagues to ditch the study, over fears it would sully the reputation of the military. To do so, he said, would be akin to “turning a blind eye”, which in the long term would do more damage to the Bundeswehr. The study would be repeated every year, he added.

“Zero tolerance applies to sexual harassment within the Bundeswehr,” the minister said.

Pistorius expressed concern over a high level of reluctance to report incidents. About a third of those surveyed said they did not or would not report incidents because of a lack of trust in what their superiors would do.

Before the study results were made public, Pistorius set up a hotline this month, meant to serve military personnel, which is to be staffed around the clock, and is called HELP.

In future, Pistorius said, those who made complaints should receive more information about the status of their proceedings, after victims said they were often left in the dark, but expected to continue serving.

The ministry said that, of 45,000 active or former members of the armed forces contacted to participate in the survey, 18% responded. It said its analysis showed that the figures were nevertheless representative.