Germany vows action after military report exposes widespread sexual abuse

Germany’s military has vowed to make it easier for service personnel to report sexual abuse and track what action is being taken following a damning report into misconduct.Research by the military's own Centre of Military History and Social Sciences, found that 40 per cent of female soldiers had experienced at least one episode of sexual misconduct in the past 12 months. This ranged from verbal harassment to visual abuse, such as unwilling exposure to pornography, unwanted touching or, in two per cent of cases, sexual violence. About 19 per cent of ⁠male soldiers had also experienced similar misconduct, with non-heterosexual soldiers disproportionately affected.Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the report’s findings were ‘unacceptable’ (Reuters)Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the rise in reported sexual abuse cases was “unacceptable”, promising more advice would be offered to victims.The report comes as Germany’s armed forces is trying to build up its military into the most powerful in Europe after decades of underinvestment that led the armed forces to shrink to a fraction of its size during the Cold War. In 2025, the ‌government approved plans for voluntary military service aimed at doubling the number of trained reservists to about 200,000, in addition to a target of at least 260,000 active-duty soldiers.The report was based on survey questions sent to 45,000 serving personnel. The number of sexual abuse cases is likely far higher than the number that is officially reported.Mr Pistorius said young women in the lower ranks are particularly affected by misconduct (AFP/Getty)“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," Mr Pistorius said."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.”Mr Pistorius added that anyone who fails to set an example, tolerates misconduct or fails to deal with it consistently will “no longer hold a leadership position”. Last month, a Royal Marine who told a female sailor “women don’t belong in the military” was told to “grow up” by a military judge after dodging a service ban.Ewan Baxter, 24, was sentenced to 90 days of a Service Supervision and Punishment Order, where he had to report to his commanding officer and give up a sixth of his pay after a court ruled he showed a “particular disdain” for female personnel.Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).