University of Virginia
Police Department
Hazing Defined
Hazing is a broad term that encompasses an action or activity which
does not contribute to the positive development of a person;
• which inflicts or intends to •
cause physical or mental
harm or anxieties;
• which may demean,
degrade, or disgrace any
person, regardless of
location, intent or consent
of participants.
Any action or situation
which intentionally or
unintentionally endangers
a student for admission
into or affiliation with any
student organization.
Hazing is…

Any activity expected of someone
joining a group which humiliates,
degrades, or risks emotional/physical
harm
History of Hazing
•Hazing originated in the 16th century among sailors and crew on long ship
voyages. The harassment of rookie sailors usually took place on hazy days
(which could drive sailors crazy) so it became known as hazing.
•Hazing emerged in Fraternities after the Civil War. Prior to the Civil war,
hazing was not a major aspect in many fraternities. This is because
Fraternities started out as a way for students to discuss academic life in
college, something that was looked down upon in the early 19th century.
However, hazing gained popularity after the civil war because many college
students felt that they needed to have a harrowing event happen to them as
their fathers did during the civil war. Hazing continued on after World War I.
Soldiers returning from the war re-entered colleges, and brought with them
the discipline and techniques they learned in boot camp
•Most hazing rituals often have roots in the military, for instance; Marine
recruits have often been punched, kicked and physically abused in an effort
to “toughen them up” often after just getting out of bed.
Myths and facts
Myth #1: Hazing is primarily a problem for fraternities and
sororities.
Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have been
frequently documented in the military, athletic teams, marching
bands, religious cults, professional schools and other types of clubs
and/or, organizations. Reports of hazing activities in high schools
are on the rise.
Myth #2: Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes
go awry.
Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others --- it is
victimization. Hazing is pre-meditated and NOT accidental.
Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening.
Myth #3: As long as there's no malicious intent, a little hazing should be
O.K.
Fact: Even if there's no malicious "intent" safety may still be a factor in
traditional hazing activities that are considered to be "all in good fun."
For example, serious accidents have occurred during scavenger hunts
and kidnapping trips. Besides, what purpose do such activities serve in
promoting the growth and development of group team members?
Myths and facts
Myth #4: Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop
discipline.
Fact: First of all, respect must be EARNED--not taught. Victims of
hazing rarely report having respect for those who have hazed them. Just
like other forms of victimization, hazing breeds mistrust, apathy and
alienation
Myth #5: If someone agrees to participate in an activity, it can't be
considered hazing.
Fact: In states that have laws against hazing consent of the victim can't
be used as a defense in a civil suit. This is because even if someone
agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action it may not be true
consent when considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the
group.
Myth #6: It's difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is
hazing--it's such a gray area sometimes.
Fact: It's not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common
sense.
Three Main Types of Hazing
Subtle
 Harassment
 Violent

Subtle Hazing

Any activity or attitude directed towards a
pledge which embarrasses, humiliates, or
ridicules.
 Examples
○ Silence Periods
○ Demerits
○ Scavenger hunts for meaningless objects
○ Requiring pledges to carry handbooks or paddles
everywhere to get signatures
○ Calling pledge “pledgie” or other demeaning name
○ Requiring pledges to do power point presentations on
the meaningless topic such as Hazing.
○ Etc.
Harassment Hazing

Any activity which confuses, frustrates, or causes
the probationary member undue stress through
mental anguish and physical discomfort.
 Examples
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
Requiring ridiculous costumes or activities
Requiring probationary members to perform personal services
Verbal abuse
Any form of questioning under pressure or in an uncomfortable
position
Sleep deprivation
Expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of maintaining a
normal schedule of bodily cleanliness.
Be expected to harass others
Etc.
Violent Hazing

Anything which causes physical or emotional
harm
 Example
○ Forced alcohol consumption
○ Forced consumption of vile substances
○ Sexual violation
○ Assault
○ Burning
○ Forcing probationary members into life-threatening
situations
○ Water intoxication
○ Public nudity
○ Abductions/kidnaps
○ Etc.
The Alcohol-Hazing link
•Alcohol releases inhibitions.
•Underage drinking in sanctioned events.
•The worst problems with hazing tend to happen
when alcohol is involved.
•Forcing (or the appearance of forcing) pledges to
drink is a major risk because of the often unspoken
peer pressure involved with drinking.
In Virginia
Virginia 18.2-56
Hazing is unlawful
 Automatically a Class 1 Misdemeanor
 Any victim has the right to civilly sue the
person or persons guilty thereof, no
exceptions.
 Upon proof of guilt of any student hazing
another student, the college or university
shall sanction and discipline such student
in accordance with the institution’s policies
and procedures. Organization charters
shall be revoked.

States without Hazing Laws
Alaska
 Hawaii
 Michigan
 Montana
 New Mexico
 South Dakota
 Wyoming

How to spot Hazing
It's not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common
sense and ask yourself the following questions:
1) Is alcohol involved?
2) Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate with the
new members and do exactly what they're being asked to do?
3) Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
4) Is there risk of injury or a question of safety?
5) Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your parents, to
a professor or University official?
6) Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school
newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," the
activity is probably hazing.
How to prevent Hazing
•Is this activity an educational experience?
•Will this activity increase the respect for the organization?
•Would you be willing to allow your parents or University officials to
witness the activity?
•Does the activity have value in and of itself?
•If you have to ask if it is hazing… it probably is.
•If in doubt, call your chapter advisor, faculty advisor, or the national
office. If you won't pick up the phone, you have your answer.
Hazing is "any action taken or situation created, whether on or
off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical
discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule."
Brothers must not haze new members, and similarly, new
members must not haze brothers!! Hazing is not the way to
express to another that you will, one day, call him or her a
"brother." If you allow hazing to occur you are a “hazing
enabler” and no different from the person doing the hazing.
Don't Fool Yourself
Alternatives to Consider
Foster Unity
Work together on a community service
project
 Work together to improve chapter room
 Work together to plan a social or
sporting event

Instill a sense of membership

Plan events for the whole chapter to
meet for a specific event
 Concert
 Movie
 Meals
 Study Session
 Church service…
Promote the Future
Take advantage of University tutoring
services
 Designate study hours
 Invite speakers on test taking, study
habits, etc.
 Use college resources for seminars on
writing resumes, time management, etc.

IN CONCLUSION
Fitting in is a big deal, a popular way to fit in, meet lots of new people and
to become involved with your school is to join a fraternal organization.










But how far would you go to become part of a fraternity?
Would you put up with paddling or striking, marking or branding?
What if involvement included restricting of your class attendance or
your sleep?
What if they forced you to eat or drink or to perform calisthenics such
as sit-ups, push-ups or running?
How would you handle physical harassment such as pushing, cursing
or shouting?
How about sexual harassment?
What about being berated in front of a large group?
Or being asked silly or misleading questions just to be made fun of?
Or being asked to participate in a food fight?
Or binge drinking until you puke because you are attending a pledge
event.
Or not knowing when initiation is.
Hazing Resources
http://www.stophazing.org/index.html an extensive site covering
many aspects of hazing including fraternity, sorority, athletic,
high school and military hazing.
http://hazing.hanknuwer.com/ Hank Nuwer is an Indiana-based
author whose specialty is hazing.
http://www.insidehazing.com/ to provide methods of prevention
and intervention in hazing; to explain the psychology of hazing in
high school, college, the military, and the workplace. Educational
information is included for use in anti-hazing initiatives among
fraternities, sororities, teams, and other groups.