Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday presented the Bundeswehr's first study into unreported cases of sexual misconduct, revealing that sexual misconduct is far more widespread than previously known, and announced an action plan to address what he called a matter of upholding human dignity enshrined in Germany's Basic Law.
Speaking to the Bundestag after briefing the Defence Committee, Pistorius said the study showed that only between one third and one sixth of cases are reported. "There is zero tolerance for sexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr," he said. The study, conducted by the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences (ZMSBw), surveyed 45,000 service members, of whom around 18% responded, yielding more than 8,100 evaluated questionnaires plus interviews. Researchers said the data are scientifically representative.
According to the study, 72% of female soldiers and 31% of male soldiers reported experiencing verbal harassment at least once during their service. In the 12 months before the survey, the figures were 38% for women and 16% for men. Physical sexual misconduct was reported by 9% of women and 3% of men, while 2% of both genders said they had experienced sexual violence. Younger women in lower ranks and non-heterosexual men are disproportionately affected; perpetrators are predominantly male. Female service members in units with more than 15% women are less likely to be affected.
The study was prompted by a growing number of reports to the former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl, who called for such an investigation in 2024. The process gained momentum after incidents at the Parachute Regiment in Zweibrücken came to light earlier this year and involved allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Bundeswehr plans to improve awareness of reporting channels. A counselling centre established in early November will soon be available around the clock, and supervisors are to receive enhanced awareness training and improved instruction. The handling of reported cases is to become a standing criterion in supervisors' 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 said. Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer said sexual misconduct would become part of training at every level from the beginning.
The opposition Greens criticised the Bundeswehr's plan to improve awareness of reporting channels, with defence policy spokesperson Sara Nanni calling for an external reporting office alongside the regular disciplinary process, with investigative powers and authority to take disciplinary action where appropriate, for cases where superiors within the Bundeswehr fail to fulfil their responsibilities. The current Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte, described the figures as “dramatically high” and said the study made clear “that there is a lack of trust in the Bundeswehr's structures.”
The Bundeswehr is urgently seeking additional personnel and has been actively recruiting women, but the study's findings are unlikely to make attracting more female recruits any easier. Women remain significantly underrepresented across nearly all branches.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The findings directly undermine the Bundeswehr's recruitment drive for women, which is critical as Germany seeks to expand its military.
- A systemic culture of harassment erodes trust in military leadership and could affect operational readiness.
- The study sets a benchmark for accountability; how seriously the action plan is implemented will determine whether the armed forces can retain and attract personnel.
Background
Germany's Bundeswehr has faced chronic personnel shortages and has been actively trying to recruit more women, who remain a small minority in most branches. The study was commissioned after rising reports of sexual misconduct to the parliamentary ombudsman and high-profile incidents in 2026. The defence ministry's response is being closely watched as a test of institutional reform.
Key Perspectives
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD): called for zero tolerance and said the issue is a matter of human dignity; announced an action plan including training, a 24/7 counselling centre, and making leadership accountable for handling cases.
Greens defence spokesperson Sara Nanni: demanded an external, independent reporting office with investigative and disciplinary powers, arguing that internal channels cannot be trusted when superiors fail.
Parliamentary Commissioner Henning Otte: described the study's figures as "dramatically high" and stressed that a lack of trust in Bundeswehr structures must be addressed through a genuinely lived leadership culture.
What to Watch
- Whether the action plan's implementation leads to a measurable increase in reporting rates within the next year.
- The impact on female recruitment numbers in upcoming Bundeswehr intake cycles.
- Any follow-up investigations or disciplinary actions arising from specific incidents, particularly at the Parachute Regiment in Zweibrücken.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedPistorius said, “There is zero tolerance for sexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr.”DW English: “"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."”
- SupportedPistorius said anyone who fails to lead by example, tolerates misconduct or does not address it consistently will no longer hold a leadership position.DW English: “"Anyone who fails to lead by example, tolerates misconduct, or does not address it consistently will no longer hold a leadership position," Defence Minister Pistorius stressed.”
- SupportedOtte described the study’s figures as “dramatically high.”DW English: “The current Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte, described the figures revealed by the study as "dramatically high."”
- SupportedOtte said the study made clear “that there is a lack of trust in the Bundeswehr's structures.”DW English: “The findings had also made it clear, he said, "that there is a lack of trust in the Bundeswehr's structures.”
- SupportedGermany’s defence minister unveiled an action plan after a study found widespread sexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr.DW English: “According to the findings, sexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr is far more widespread than previously known. "The study has shown that only between one third and one sixth of cases are reported," Pistorius said, announcing an action plan to address the issue.”
- SupportedThe study says 70% of surveyed female soldiers report sexual misconduct.Politico Europe: “Wenn 70 Prozent der befragten Soldatinnen von sexualisiertem Fehlverhalten berichten, wird das Kulturproblem zur existenziellen Gefahr für die Einsatzbereitschaft.”
- SupportedPistorius said only between one third and one sixth of cases are reported.DW English: “"The study has shown that only between one third and one sixth of cases are reported," Pistorius said, announcing an action plan to address the issue.”
- SupportedPistorius presented the Bundeswehr’s first study into unreported cases of sexual misconduct to the Defence Committee on Wednesday.DW English: “Earlier that day, he had presented the findings of the Bundeswehr 's first study into unreported cases of sexual misconduct to the Defence Committee.”
- SupportedThe study surveyed 45,000 service members, around 18% of whom responded.DW English: “To this end, the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences (ZMSBw) surveyed 45,000 service members, around 18% of whom responded.”
- SupportedThe study found that 72% of female soldiers had experienced verbal harassment at least once during their military service.DW English: “Some 72% of female soldiers and 31% of male soldiers said they had experienced verbal harassment at least once during their military service.”
- SupportedGreens spokesperson Sara Nanni called for an external reporting office with investigative powers and authority to take disciplinary action where appropriate.DW English: “Defence policy spokesperson Sara Nanni is calling for "an external reporting office, alongside the regular disciplinary process, with investigative powers and the authority to take disciplinary action where appropriate."”
- SupportedThe Bundeswehr plans to make the counselling centre established in early November available around the clock soon.DW English: “A counseling center established in early November will soon be available around the clock.”