The allegations of sexual violence in the military, which were presented in the 2023 gender equality report, have not been proven and there have been no legal cases. This is specified by the Ministry of Defense in a message to the media.
According to the report, which was adopted last week by the Council of Ministers, nine women who work for the army or are partners of soldiers complained of sexual harassment. Another 7 reported sexual and mental abuse, and 22 reported sexual and physical abuse (including rape or attempted rape).
Here is what the MoD writes about the exported data:
In connection with the report adopted by the Council of Ministers on "Equality of women and men in Bulgaria for
2023" and subsequent publications, the Ministry of Defense clarifies the following:
1. The data indicated in the report refer to 2022 and 2023.
2. All data are related to reports of violence and harassment by servicemen and civilian employees in the performance of official duties and in domestic conditions, related to non-regulated ethical and moral norms for the behavior of servicemen.
3. All reports received are documented and examined by the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense and the "Military Police" Office, and some by the Military Prosecutor's Office.
4. The data indicated in the report, adopted by the Council of Ministers, on page 75, refer only to received reports and are not real cases of sexual harassment, sexual mental violence and sexual physical violence (including rape and attempted rape). Both in 2022 and in 2023, the reports received did not contain cases of a proven crime (rape). No court cases have been filed, which confirms the thesis that such cases do not actually exist.
The Ministry of Defense used the occasion to emphatically state that people in the military remain our top priority. We will continue to have zero tolerance for violence in all its forms in accordance with the Military Code of Conduct. All reports that are received will continue to be properly checked and, if a crime is suspected, will be forwarded to the judicial authorities.