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More troops are reporting unwanted sexual contact, but numbers still fall, Pentagon says
The Defense Department said 7,998 sexual assault reports were filed in 2025, even as survey estimates showed fewer incidents among active-duty troops.
A Pentagon report released Friday indicates more Service members are reporting unwanted Sexual contact to authorities, even as the overall prevalence of such incidents decreased last year.
The Defense Department conducts confidential surveys every two years because Sexual assault is a highly underreported crime, seeking a clearer picture beyond official reports.
In 2025, 33% of Service members reported unwanted Sexual contact, up from 25% in 2023, while prevalence rates fell to 4.3% for women and 1% for men.
Defense officials characterize the rise in reporting as a positive trend, reflecting greater confidence in the system and improved support for victims of Sexual assault.
The Pentagon releases annual reports on troop Sexual assault data, maintaining focus on tracking trends to ensure accountability and sustained support for Service members.