More troops are reporting unwanted sexual contact, but numbers still fall, Pentagon says
WASHINGTON (AP) — More U.S. troops are reporting unwanted sexual contact to authorities, according to a Pentagon report released Friday, even as more service members are willing to come forward, the prevalence of such…
The Pentagon has released a report indicating that more U.S. service members are reporting unwanted sexual contact to authorities, despite a decrease in the overall number of such incidents. In fiscal year 2025, approximately 33% of active duty personnel who experienced unwanted sexual contact reported it, up from 25% in fiscal year 2023.
This upward trend suggests that more troops are feeling confident in coming forward with their experiences, which could be a positive indicator of a more supportive environment. However, the total number of reported sexual assaults declined from 8,195 in 2024 to 7,998 in 2025, a reduction of 197 cases. The department conducts a confidential online survey every two years to gather more accurate data on the issue, as sexual assault is notoriously underreported.
Defense officials interpret the increase in reported assaults as a positive sign, reflecting greater trust in the reporting system and enhanced support for victims. The prevalence of unwanted sexual contact among female active duty personnel dropped from 6.8% in 2023 to 4.3% in 2025, while for men, it decreased slightly from 1.3% to 1%.
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