Pentagon reports rise in reporting of unwanted sexual contact despite overall decline

According to the latest Pentagon analysis, the proportion of active-duty members who reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact rose to roughly 33% in fiscal year 2025, compared with 25% two years earlier. The department attributes the increase to greater confidence in reporting mechanisms. At the same time, the total count of sexual-assault reports fell to 7,998 in 2025, down by 197 from 2024.

Confidential surveys show that the estimated rate of unwanted sexual contact among women dropped from 6.8% to 4.3%, and among men from 1.3% to 1%. Sexual harassment estimates also declined, falling from 24.7% to 17.5% for women and from 5.8% to 4.4% for men. Defense officials view higher reporting rates as a sign of improved trust in the system, even as overall prevalence declines.