How is hazing defined by authorities?
Any initiation method that could cause physical or psychological harm
is hazing. Common forms include forced eating or drinking, often of alcohol,
beatings, endurance tests, servitude, forced nudity or humiliation. It's
easy to determine if your initiation right crosses the line into hazing:
if you would be uncomfortable describing it to your parents or would
not want a television news crew to film it, it's hazing.
Why do people haze?
They claim that hazing increases unity in a group, proves the initiates' resolve
and emphasizes the benefits of belonging to the group. However, numerous
psychological studies have proved that hazing has the opposite effect.
In fact, hazing is a form of assault in which one group wields power
over another in a sadistic manner to help reinforce their own self-esteem.
Are there laws against hazing?
Forty-four states, including Missouri, have laws against hazing. Only
Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, South Dakota and Hawaii don't
have anti-hazing laws. States without hazing laws have a greater number
of hazing-related injuries.
How does Missouri law limit
hazing?
Missouri law bans any initiation ritual that could result in physical
or mental injury or that requires committing a criminal act. The law
also requires all colleges within the state to have a written policy
against hazing. Finally, it specifically states that the willing participation
of the hazing victims is not a valid defense. If the hazing incident
created a serious risk to someone's life, it is a felony. This
is in addition to expulsion from school, banning of the group from campus
and lawsuits against the hazing group.
Florida has a very strict anti-hazing law.
Looking through hazing case studies, it seems that many hazers, even
when caught, are given a slap on the wrist, with just a brief suspension
or community service. Florida is changing that with a law that makes
a hazing incident that causes serious injury a felony. The law is unfortunately
vague about what constitutes a serious injury, so a current case involving
a student who was beaten to the point of hospitalization with a torn
eardrum hinges on whether his injuries are “serious enough.”
How prevalent is hazing?
After a hazing death at Alfred University, the school conducted a landmark
hazing study. It found that:
- Almost half of all high school students reported being hazed as part
of a group or club initiation.
- In 40 percent of college hazings, a coach or advisor knew of the
incident.
- Almost half of fraternity and sorority members believe it is important
to keep a “code of silence” about hazing.
- 50 percent of all NCAA Division I female athletes reported being
hazed.
These brutal and barbaric rituals are an embarrassment to any
organization that carries them out, not to mention a very serious threat
to the safety of the victims.
