Department of War Releases Its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military

The Department of War released its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military today.

The Department remains committed to preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment, and continues to confront and counter harmful behaviors, provide victim assistance, and strengthen command climates.

"Dignity, respect, and discipline are foundational to the warrior ethos and the overall preparedness of the force. Sexual assault and sexual harassment undermine these values, eroding trust and threatening the mission," said Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata.

"The FY 2025 report underscores our ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards, protecting our people, and building a unified, ready, and lethal fighting force," added Tata.

Required by Congress, the Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military presents critical statistics, trend analyses, and updates on the Department’s ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military. The FY 2025 report incorporates findings from the 2025 Workplace Experiences Survey – a congressionally mandated assessment measuring the prevalence of unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, and sex discrimination across the force.

It shows that the prevalence of unwanted sexual contact among active-duty Service members decreased from FY 2023 – the last time that the Workplace Experiences Survey was administered – to FY 2025. The estimated rate of unwanted sexual contact for active-duty men decreased from 1.3% to 1.0% and the estimated rate of unwanted sexual contact for active-duty women decreased from 6.8% to 4.3%. Based on these rates, the Department estimates that 20,492 Service members experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact in FY 2025, which is 8,500 fewer personnel compared to FY 2023.

Likewise, the FY 2025 report shows that the prevalence of sexual harassment within the active-duty force decreased between FY 2023 and FY 2025. The estimated rate of sexual harassment for active-duty men decreased from 5.8% to 4.4% and the estimated rate of sexual harassment for active-duty women decreased from 24.7% to 17.5%.

Finally, the FY 2025 report shows that reporting of sexual assault incidents by active-duty Service members increased from 25% in FY 2023 to 33% in FY 2025. The Department continues to encourage greater reporting to connect warfighters with vital restorative care and enable leadership to hold offenders appropriately accountable.

The Department remains focused on strengthening prevention and response activities and ensuring that Service members can operate with confidence and maintain absolute focus on the mission.

The FY 2025 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military is available.