US military reports decline in sexual assaults

Washington, Aug 21 (IANS) An estimated 20,492 US military personnel experienced unwanted sexual contact during fiscal 2025, a decline of about 8,500 from two years earlier, the Pentagon said Friday.

The estimated prevalence of unwanted sexual contact declined among active-duty women and men between fiscal 2023 and 2025, the Department of War said Friday.

Among active-duty women, the estimated rate fell from 6.8 per cent in 2023 to 4.3 per cent in 2025.

The corresponding rate among active-duty men declined from 1.3 per cent to 1 per cent.

The findings appear in the fiscal 2025 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, which the department is required to submit to Congress.

The report incorporates results from the 2025 Workplace Experiences Survey, a congressionally mandated assessment measuring unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment and sex discrimination across the armed forces.

The department conducts the prevalence survey periodically to estimate incidents that may not have been formally reported through military channels.

Sexual harassment also declined among active-duty personnel during the two years, according to the report.

The estimated rate among women fell from 24.7 per cent in fiscal 2023 to 17.5 per cent in fiscal 2025.

Among men, the estimated rate declined from 5.8 per cent to 4.4 per cent.

The Pentagon also reported an increase in the proportion of sexual-assault incidents disclosed through official processes.

Reporting among active-duty personnel rose from an estimated 25 per cent of incidents in 2023 to 33 per cent in 2025.

The department said greater reporting was important for connecting affected service members with medical, psychological and other restorative care while enabling military authorities to investigate allegations and hold offenders accountable.

“Dignity, respect, and discipline are foundational to the warrior ethos and the overall preparedness of the force,” Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata said.

“Sexual assault and sexual harassment undermine these values, eroding trust and threatening the mission,” he added.

Tata said the report demonstrated the department’s commitment to protecting service members, maintaining high standards and building a unified and prepared force.

The estimated 20,492 victims should not be confused with the number of formal reports received by military authorities. Survey estimates are designed to capture a wider range of experiences, including incidents that personnel did not officially report.

The Pentagon did not provide a service-by-service breakdown, demographic details or the number of disciplinary actions in the announcement accompanying the report.

It said the full report included statistics, trend analysis and updates on programmes intended to prevent sexual assault and harassment and support victims.

Congress has enacted changes shifting authority over the prosecution of certain serious crimes, including sexual assault, from the traditional chain of command to independent military prosecutors.

The latest decline is likely to be welcomed by defence officials, but the estimated number of affected service members indicates that sexual assault remains a significant problem for the US military.

–IANS

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