5 insights to help you recognize hazing
College is full of opportunities to meet new people and join groups, and sometimes the pressure to fit in can lead groups to put new members at risk of harm.听听
Here are some things to know about hazing.听听听
1. Hazing is harmful鈥攅ven if someone agrees to it听
Hazing is any activity that a person is expected to do to join or stay in a group that could humiliate, degrade, abuse or put them at risk鈥攑hysically or emotionally.听听
Just because members choose to participate doesn鈥檛 make it okay. Harmful actions are still harmful, even if they鈥檙e framed as 鈥渢raditions鈥 or 鈥減art of the process.鈥听
听If you are a leader of a group, it's helpful to assess your mission and goals to ensure traditions or optional activities that promote community don't inadvertently cause harm.听听
2. Hazing takes many forms听
Having standards and expectations to be part of a group is important for creating a positive community. Sometimes, these expectations go too far and endanger the health and safety of members. Group expectations can end up taking over someone鈥檚 schedule and can make them feel like they must put the group before everything else鈥攃lasses, friends or even their own well-being. Being accepted into a group shouldn鈥檛 mean crossing boundaries or sacrificing what鈥檚 important.听
Here are some examples of what hazing can look like in real life.*听听
Intimidation听听
- Deception, secrecy, coercion听听听
- Assigning demerits听听听
- Demeaning and targeted name-calling听
- Forced social isolation听听听
- Expecting certain items to always be in your possession听听听
- Ignoring members听听听
- Duties that are unfairly assigned 听听
- Trying to instill fear in members听听听
- Depriving members of privileges听听
Harm to well-being听听
- Verbal abuse听听听
- Threats or implied threats听听听
- Requiring members to wear embarrassing attire听听听
- Skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts听听听
- Sleep deprivation听听听
- Sexual simulation or harassment听听听
- Questioning or interrogation under pressure听听听
- Requiring new members to perform personal service to active members or alumni (like carrying books or running errands)听听听
- Required singing, chanting or performing in unusual places like the classroom or at an unrelated game or event听听
- Depriving members of basic needs, like food and water听
Violence/physical harm听听
- Forced consumption/overconsumption of alcohol, drugs, food, etc.听听听
- Beating, paddling or other forms of assault听听听
- Branding听听听
- Water intoxication听听听
- Abduction/kidnapping听听听
- Sexual assault, including unwanted touching or penetration, including oral, anal, vaginal, with a body part or objects听听听听
- Forced tattoos or body piercings听听听
- Enduring harsh weather without appropriate clothing or protection听
*(Allan, 2015; Allan & Kerschner, 2020; Adapted from Bringing in the Bystander)听听
It鈥檚 important to realize that some groups may pressure members to keep everything about their initiation process or team-building activities secret鈥攅ven the things that make some members uncomfortable or cross a line. Speaking up about hazing, even if it means going against the group, helps create a safer environment for everyone and stops these behaviors from continuing.听
3. Hazing can happen in any kind of group听
Whether formal or informal, social or academic, hazing can be used in many different types of student groups, including sports teams, academic clubs, social groups and organizations, and other types of group environments.听
It鈥檚 important to think about the kinds of organizations you want to be part of and what you鈥檙e hoping to get out of those experiences. Taking a moment to reflect can help you figure out what kind of friendships, values and experiences you want in college. It also helps you set boundaries around what you鈥檙e comfortable doing to be accepted into a group.听
4. Recognizing hazing helps you support others听
Hazing can be a sensitive topic, especially if someone has been subjected to degrading, humiliating or violent behaviors and activities.听 听听听
Here are some things you can do to help someone who may be experiencing hazing.听
听听Learn to identify hazing activities听听
Knowing what hazing looks like can help people understand what鈥檚 okay and what crosses the line. To help identify if an action may be considered hazing, ask the following questions:听听听
- Is the activity someone is required to do required for initiation into the group?听听
Could this cause harm, including feelings of embarrassment, humiliation or degradation?听听听
- Are people involved being pressured or coerced to participate?听听听
- What will happen to someone who doesn鈥檛 want to participate?听
听听Take note of changes听听
Hazing can cause someone to experience physical, emotional and psychological distress. Here are some signs that can indicate someone may be experiencing hazing:听听听
- Prioritizing group/membership activities over other areas in their life (like school, relationships, etc.).听听
- Expressing fear or hesitation about what might happen to them if they don鈥檛 participate in a specific group activity, even if it makes them uncomfortable.听听
- Changes to their behavior or mood, including feeling down, anxiety or restlessness.听听
- Missing class, work or outside social events.听听
- Describing 鈥渢raditions鈥 that sound unsafe, coercive or harmful.听
- Changes to sleep habits, including fatigue.听听
- Posting concerning or odd things on social media.听听
- Being secretive about group membership or 鈥渢raditions.鈥听
5. Talking about hazing can make a difference听
Recognizing and speaking up about hazing is key to making our campus a safer, more welcoming place for everyone. When students look out for each other and take steps to stop harmful traditions, it helps build a community where respect and support come first.听
If you鈥檙e worried about a friend who might be the target of hazing, here鈥檚 how you can reach out and support them:听
- Be genuine鈥攍et your friend know that you care and that you鈥檝e noticed changes. For example: 鈥淵ou seem super busy with your group lately, how are things going?鈥听
- Share what you鈥檝e observed, like mood changes or missing class. Sometimes, people don鈥檛 realize that what they鈥檙e experiencing could be hazing.听
- Listen openly. Let friends know that you are open to talking about things that may feel tough to discuss or when they fear they'll be judged.听
- Remind them hazing is never okay and that it鈥檚 not their fault if it鈥檚 happening to them.听
- Help them explore their options, whether it鈥檚 reaching out for help, stepping away from the group or reporting the issue. Let them know there鈥檚 more than one way to get support.听
- Keep checking in. Not everyone is ready to take action right away, but your support can make all the difference when they鈥檙e ready.听
Find support听
Whether you or someone you know is struggling with hazing or group practices, there are support resources available. For more information, you can also check out .听听
Don鈥檛 Ignore It听听
Explore your options for seeking confidential support, reporting concerns and learning skills for helping others. If something seems off, it probably is鈥攄on't ignore it.听听
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OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic, disturbing or disruptive event. This includes hazing.听听
Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR)听听
If you or someone you know has experienced hazing, you can with SSCR.听听听
Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support (SOAS)听
SOAS provides individualized support to students. Case managers connect students with campus partners, community resources and support systems, while building a trusting relationship and coaching them toward self-advocacy.听