Bundeswehr harassment study finds 72% of female soldiers faced verbal misconduct; Pistorius vows zero tolerance

A new survey shows how widespread sexualized misconduct is in the Bundeswehr. Defense Minister Pistorius presents an action plan, while the Greens are calling for an external reporting office for those affected.

Key Findings from the Dark Field Study

According to a new study, sexual harassment in the Bundeswehr is far more widespread than previously known:

• 38 percent of female soldiers and 16 percent of male soldiers experienced verbal sexualized misconduct in the twelve months before the survey.
• 9 percent of women and 3 percent of men reported physical sexualized misconduct.
• 2 percent of female and male soldiers experienced sexualized violence.

Looking at total service time, 72 percent of female soldiers and 31 percent of male soldiers reported having been verbally harassed at least once, according to the Defense Ministry.

The findings come from a so-called dark field study that the Defense Ministry presented to the Defense Committee on Wednesday. The Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr contacted approximately 45,000 soldiers, of whom 18 percent responded. The data is described as scientifically representative.

Pistorius: "Zero Tolerance Is the Line"

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) announced a consistent approach against sexual harassment and sexualized violence in the troops. "There is zero tolerance for sexualized misconduct in the Bundeswehr. Zero tolerance is the line," he said after the committee session in Berlin. Pistorius also presented an action plan.

"It is about nothing less than respect for human dignity from our Basic Law, and that naturally applies especially in the Bundeswehr. It is non-negotiable, and it stands at the center of inner leadership," the minister said.

Pistorius explained that the analysis had brought "unpleasant truths" to light. Nevertheless, the study had been necessary. "Politics begins with looking at reality. I can only take effective measures if I acknowledge and recognize reality." He noted this was the first comprehensive investigation of its kind in the Bundeswehr.

Greens Demand External Reporting Office

Before the session, the Greens had already called for an external reporting office for sexualized misconduct. Sara Nanni, defense policy spokesperson for the Green parliamentary group, said on ZDF's "Morgenmagazin" that much is being done in the areas of prevention, training, and further education, and there are now "more offers for victims to cope with it." However, "the question of how I can actually deter perpetrators" remains unregulated.

This can only succeed if perpetrators know that victims can turn to an external reporting office "that is outside the duty station" and thus obtain justice. "And this measure is missing," Nanni said. "I think we as parliament will continue to exert pressure so that such an external reporting office will also be part of the answer to the cases of recent months."

Nanni, who sits on the Defense Committee, praised the Bundeswehr for fundamentally addressing the problem through the study. But that can only be the beginning. The low proportion of women in the troops is also "the result of these experiences" described in the study, the Green politician lamented.