Overview
- The ZMSBw dark‑figure study was presented to the Bundestag and the public on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, and showed far higher rates of sexualised misconduct than official reports.
- Researchers analysed more than 8,100 completed questionnaires from about 45,000 serving and former personnel contacted, a roughly 18 percent response the ministry described as representative.
- The study found 72 percent of female soldiers and 31 percent of male soldiers reported at least one episode of verbal harassment over their service, with 38 percent of women and 16 percent of men reporting verbal incidents in the prior 12 months.
- Defence Minister Boris Pistorius pledged a zero‑tolerance policy and unveiled a 34‑point action plan plus the independent HELP counselling hotline outside the chain of command to offer confidential support.
- Lawmakers across parties demand stronger structural change such as external reporting offices, specialist investigators and leadership accountability while criminal proceedings from recent scandals continue and the ministry plans repeat surveys to measure impact.