More Than 20,000 US Service Members Experienced Sexual Assault in 2025
Although sexual assault in the US military declined, an estimated 20,492 active-duty service members experienced unwanted sexual contact during fiscal year 2025. The figure includes 9,860 women and 10,632 men, according to an annual report released by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon). According to Pentagon data, an estimated 29,000 service members experienced unwanted sexual contact in 2023. The 2025 figure therefore represents a decline of approximately 8,500 cases. In 2021, the estimated number was around 35,900.
Among active-duty female service members, the estimated rate of unwanted sexual contact fell from 6.8 percent in 2023 to 4.3 percent in 2025. Among male service members, the rate declined from 1.3 percent to 1 percent. Despite the decline in estimated incidents, the rate at which victims reported them to authorities increased. In fiscal year 2025, the Defense Department received 7,998 formal reports of sexual assault, compared with 8,195 in 2024 and 8,515 in 2023.
The proportion of victims who formally reported their experiences also increased. According to the Pentagon, around 33 percent of service members who experienced sexual assault reported the incidents to authorities in 2025, compared with 25 percent in 2023. In other words, roughly one in three victims came forward in 2025, compared with one in four two years earlier. The Pentagon considers the rise in reporting a positive development. Officials say reporting can help victims access medical care, mental health support and other recovery services, while investigations can provide opportunities to hold perpetrators accountable. The prevalence of sexual harassment also declined. In 2025, an estimated 4.4 percent of active-duty service members reported experiencing sexual harassment, down from 5.8 percent in 2023. Among women, the rate fell from 24.7 percent to 17.5 percent, while among men it declined from 5.8 percent to 4.4 percent. The rates of unwanted sexual contact also varied across military branches. Among female service members, the Marine Corps recorded the highest rate at 6.8 percent. Among men, the Navy recorded the highest rate at 1.5 percent. In the Air Force, the rates were 2.8 percent for women and 0.7 percent for men.
The report noted some improvement in service members’ confidence in the military’s reporting system. However, a significant proportion of victims remain reluctant to report incidents. Fear of retaliation, negative reactions from colleagues and a lack of confidence in the reporting process were among the main reasons cited for not coming forward. Anthony J. Tata, the Pentagon’s undersecretary for personnel and readiness, said dignity, respect and discipline are fundamental military values and essential to overall readiness. He said sexual assault and harassment undermine those values, erode trust and threaten the military’s operational effectiveness. Rights advocates, however, have urged caution in interpreting the government’s figures. They noted that the decline in reported or estimated incidents could partly reflect victims’ reluctance to come forward. Therefore, a reduction in the estimated number of victims alone should not be taken as evidence that the problem has been resolved.
The Pentagon said it is taking several measures to reduce sexual assault and harassment, including evaluating prevention programs, improving reporting mechanisms, strengthening coordination among military branches and reviewing prevention efforts at the unit level.
Sources: CBS News, NDTV
