Bundeswehr | Study reveals sexualized misconduct in the Bundeswehr

Boris Pistorius (SPD), Federal Minister of Defense, wants to combat sexual misconduct in the Bundeswehr. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Sexualized sayings, unwanted images, physical attacks or sexualized violence: Four out of ten female soldiers have experienced at least one form of sexualized misconduct in the Bundeswehr within the past twelve months - among soldiers the figure was 19 percent. This emerges from a dark field study published on Wednesday by the Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr (ZMSBw). The investigation provides the first comprehensive insight into how widespread sexual misconduct is in the armed forces and why many incidents go unreported. More than 45,000 soldiers were invited for the quantitative survey. 8144 fully completed questionnaires were received. There were also qualitative interviews. At the same time, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) presented an action plan with prevention and recovery measures on Wednesday.

The numbers vary significantly depending on the type of misconduct. 38 percent of female soldiers and 16 percent of male soldiers reported inappropriate jokes or comments with sexual content within the past twelve months. Seven percent of women and five percent of men experienced unwanted sexual representations, such as pornographic images. Nine percent of female soldiers and three percent of male soldiers reported unwanted sexual touching or corresponding attempts. Two percent of both genders said they had experienced sexual violence.

When viewed over the entire period of service to date, the values ​​are significantly higher. 72 percent of female soldiers and 31 percent of male soldiers experienced inappropriate sexual jokes or comments during their time in the Bundeswehr. 39 percent of women and ten percent of men reported unwanted physical touch. Ten percent of female soldiers and four percent of male soldiers experienced sexual violence.

The situation with the perpetrators is quite clear: 96 percent of the perpetrators of sexual misconduct against female soldiers are soldiers. The majority of sexual misconduct towards men also comes from other soldiers (at least 75 percent). Over 60 percent of the accused are also under 40 years old. In terms of ranks, non-commissioned officers with portepee, also known as sergeant ranks, particularly stand out. They make up around a third of the force, but are responsible for almost half of sexual misconduct, especially when it comes to misconduct towards women.

The study shows that women are at a significantly higher individual risk of experiencing sexualized misconduct. At the same time, men make up a significant proportion of those affected due to their numerical superiority in the troops. The Bundeswehr consists of 86.3 percent men and 13.7 percent women. Of the cases of sexual violence recorded within one year, 81 percent of those affected were male.

Younger members of the armed forces as well as female soldiers in the enlisted ranks and among non-commissioned officers without a portepee - lower non-commissioned officer ranks - are particularly often affected. The organizational areas also play a role. The risk for women is particularly high in seagoing units of the Navy: almost every second female soldier there reported verbal harassment within a year. The researchers point to the limited space, limited privacy and the difficult separation of work and leisure on ships.

Non-heterosexual male soldiers are particularly often affected. While 18 percent of heterosexual men said they had experienced at least one form of sexual misconduct within the past twelve months, the same figure was 35 percent among homosexual, bisexual and other-oriented soldiers. There are also clear differences over the entire period of service: almost every second non-heterosexual soldier reports verbal harassment, compared to almost every third heterosexual soldier. Unwanted physical attacks affected 27 percent of non-heterosexual men, compared to almost one in ten heterosexual soldiers.

The difference in sexual violence is particularly significant, with 7 percent of non-heterosexual men saying they had experienced sexual violence within the last year, compared to one percent of heterosexual men. Based on the entire period of service, 16 percent of non-heterosexual men said they had experienced sexual violence, compared to three percent of heterosexual men. The results make it clear that, in addition to women, non-heterosexual men within the Bundeswehr are also exposed to an increased risk of sexual misconduct.

A key finding of the investigation relates to how the incidents were handled. Only a small proportion is officially reported. When it comes to verbal and visual forms of sexualized misconduct, only about one in five cases are reported. Around 20 percent of affected soldiers and 25 percent of female soldiers report unwanted physical touch. In the case of sexual violence, the reporting rate for men is 19 percent and for women it is 32 percent.

The dark field is therefore significantly larger than the official reporting volume for all forms examined. The reasons for this are varied. Most often, those affected cite the desire not to cause a stir. Depending on the form of misconduct, this applies to 56 to 66 percent of those who did not report an incident. Between 38 and 45 percent fear losing reputation in the unit or office.

There are also doubts about the military reporting channels and the behavior of superiors. In the case of sexual violence, 61 percent of those affected say they did not report it for fear of negative consequences. 59 percent doubted the effectiveness of a report. Almost half had no trust in their own superiors. Fear of retaliation from the accused person also plays a role.

Some incidents are also resolved directly between those involved or within the community. Between 43 and 49 percent of those affected by verbal, visual and physical harassment said they had resolved the incident themselves with the accused person.

The official procedures can also be stressful for those affected. In the interviews with officials, the reporting process was described as a kind of “machinery”: As soon as a process is started, those affected sometimes lose control over the further process. In the investigation process, they go from being those affected to becoming witnesses and ultimately becoming applicants. At the same time, they often lack information about how the investigation is progressing and what conclusion they will reach. Depending on the form of misconduct, only 28 to 45 percent of those who reported an incident rated the reporting process as working well.

The Ministry of Defense is responding to the results with a comprehensive action plan. Under the title “Together for a culture of respect: zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” it brings together measures in the areas of prevention, investigations and sanctions as well as protection and support. The focus should be on greater responsibility for superiors, improved training and low-threshold offers of help.

An important component is the HELP advice center, which was set up at the end of October. It is intended to offer those affected, reporters and superiors an independent and confidential contact point around the clock. In addition to initial advice, it should refer those affected to suitable support services. Managers can also seek advice there and receive support in dealing with incidents.

In addition, training and awareness-raising among soldiers should be expanded. From 2027, dealing with sexual misconduct will be mandatory in the annual personality education program. Managers should also receive more training. Your approach to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion should be included in military assessments in the future.

The investigation procedures should also be improved. Suspected cases should be investigated promptly and carefully and confirmed misconduct should be consistently sanctioned. Once a procedure has been completed, incidents should be systematically processed in order to identify possible organizational causes and draw consequences for management and training.

To ensure that the announced measures do not go unchecked, the action plan provides for regular social scientific studies of the organizational climate and sexual misconduct. Another dark field investigation should be carried out within 18 months, and its results should be available after 24 months at the latest. The official reporting system should also be further developed in order to better record and evaluate incidents.

However, it remains to be seen whether the measures will be sufficient to overcome the reporting barriers identified. Questions remain, particularly when it comes to access to independent contact points and the ability to report incidents anonymously. In the study, 58 percent of those surveyed were in favor of an anonymous reporting option. The Greens are also calling for an external reporting office outside of the military offices. Before the study was published, the parliamentary group's security policy spokeswoman, Sara Nanni, pointed out that those affected had often had to rely on their superiors if they wanted to report incidents.

Zada Salihović, spokeswoman for Bundeswehr policy for the Die Linke parliamentary group, also criticizes the existing reporting channels: "The fact that only 30 percent of cases of sexual violence are reported shows how shattered trust in the existing reporting channels is." She can only support the demand for an external reporting office. “In addition, external investigative bodies outside the ministry are needed.”

The researchers see a lack of trust in military structures as a major obstacle. The results also show a clear difference between the genders when assessing how they have dealt with the problem so far. While 50 percent of soldiers think that the Bundeswehr as a whole is doing enough to combat sexual misconduct, the figure is only 28 percent of female soldiers. Among women who were affected themselves, the proportion even drops to 22 percent.

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