2,000 Cases of Sexual Abuse in German Armed Forces: Defense Ministry Report Reveals

Berlin (International Desk) — A new report by Germany’s Defense Ministry has revealed nearly 2,000 suspected cases of sexual misconduct within the armed forces over the past five years, plunging the German military into a major internal crisis.
According to Der Spiegel, complaints filed through the ministry’s internal reporting system rose from 312 in 2021 to 472 in 2025. Officials say part of the increase may reflect growing willingness among victims to come forward, rather than a rise in abuse itself. However, the overall picture remains troubling, as only 1,114 of the roughly 2,000 reports were referred to public prosecutors.
Sexual harassment topped the list of allegations, with 828 incidents reported over the five-year period. According to the ministry’s internal summary, more than 50 suspected cases of child sexual abuse and over 200 incidents related to child pornography were also recorded, along with 31 separate cases of indecent exposure. In addition, 395 suspected cases of sexual assault, coercion or rape, and two cases of sexual exploitation were logged, though the ministry could not confirm any convictions in these cases.
Breaking his silence over the situation, German military Inspector General Carsten Breuer issued an internal warning, stating that the number of recorded cases was far too high and that such misconduct must not be tolerated by superiors, subordinates or peers within any unit. He made clear that deliberately looking the other way or silently tolerating such behavior must also carry consequences.
Germany’s armed forces currently number around 267,000 personnel, of whom 13 percent are women. Reports indicate that sexual assaults within military barracks — sometimes involving senior officers — occur repeatedly. Researchers say the true scale of the problem could be far greater than official figures suggest. In response, the Bundeswehr’s Center for Military History and Social Sciences has launched a study, dubbed the “dark figure study,” to investigate underreporting. However, internal sources say female service members often remain silent out of fear for their careers and distrust in the investigative process. Preliminary findings from the study are expected before the end of this year.