Pentagon says more troops report unwanted sexual contact, but numbers dip
A new Pentagon report indicates that while the overall prevalence of unwanted sexual contact in the military decreased last year, the rate of reporting such incidents has increased to 33%. The findings reflect ongoing efforts to address sexual assault within the armed forces despite persistent challenges.
Why it matters
This data is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of military policies aimed at reducing sexual violence and improving institutional accountability.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — More U.S. troops are reporting unwanted sexual contact to authorities, according to a Pentagon report released Friday, but even as more service members are willing to come forward, the prevalence of such incidents still went down overall last year.
An estimated 33% of active duty personnel who said they experienced unwanted sexual contact in fiscal year 2025 reported it, compared with 25% in fiscal year 2023, the report said. The findings are based on confidential surveys taken every two years as well as sexual assault reports made to authorities.
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