Promoting a Safe Campus
Witness, Stand Up, Speak Out and Report What Matters!
Hazing behaviors or activities are frequently unrecognized or remain unreported. It is often mistakenly viewed as harmless initiation rites, but in reality, it encompasses a wide range of activities that can be physically, mentally, emotionally damaging, or psychological in nature. It’s any action or situation, with or without the consent of the participants, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation into or to maintain status within a student organization.
Hazing is not always easy to identify. Sometimes, students may not realize what they are experiencing or witnessing is hazing. This can be due to a lack of awareness, a belief that certain behaviors are just “tradition,” or a desire to fit in and not question group norms. As a result, harmful actions may be dismissed or normalized, even when they cause physical or emotional distress. Increasing education and awareness around what constitutes hazing is essential in helping students recognize it, speak out against it, and foster safer, more respectful group environments.
Together, Pueos can prevent hazing!
Recognizing Hazing:
Intimidation
- Deception
- Assigning demerits
- Socially isolating of new members
- Instilling fear in new and/or active members
- Derogatory Appellations
- Threating new members
- Expecting specific items to always be in a new member’s possession.
Harassment/Psychological Harm
- Verbal abuse/threats
- Implied threats
- Sleep deprivation
- Sexual stimulation
- Interrogating under pressure
- Making new members to wear embarrassing attire
- Required to performing skits or songs with degrading or humiliating content or acts.
Violence
- Forced consumption of large amounts of liquids
- Forced consumption of alcohol and drugs.
- Forced consumption of vile or rotten foods/beverages.
- Branding or tattoos
- Sexual assault
- Abduction or kidnapping of a new member or a non member.
- Other physical assault, beating, tasing, paddling, or etc.
Allan, E. J. & Kerschner, D. (2020). The Spectrum of Hazing™, StopHazing Consulting. https://stophazing.org/resources/spectrum.
Prevention:
As a member of the campus community, you have the opportunity to help create a culture where hazing is not tolerated, and all members of the campus community feel safe and respected. The following slide further illustrates these strategies along with alternative ways as you work to promote positive changes and foster a healthier culture within your student organization, consider incorporating these strategies:
- Foster Unity
- Develop Problem-Solving Abilities
- Develop Leadership Skills
- Instill a Sense of Membership
- Promote Scholarship
- Build Awareness of History
- Aid Career Goals
10 Signs of Unhealthy Relationships within Groups:
Groups may exhibit signs of unhealthy relationships. The following list identifies ways 10 unhealthy behaviors can manifest in a group setting, potentially leading to negative results or outcomes. It is important to note that not all unhealthy behaviors manifest in groups are necessarily considered hazing. These behaviors may serve as warning signs regarding group dynamics and risk factors that might compromise students’ safety, sense of belonging, and overall well-being.
- Intensity
- Manipulation
- Sabotage
- Guilting
- Possessiveness
- Deflecting Responsibility
- Isolation
- Belittling
- Volatility
- Betrayal
10 Signs of Healthy Relationships within Groups
The following list of exemplary healthy behaviors is a foundation for groups seeking to identify and implement positive actions within their own group dynamic. Groups are strongly encouraged to innovate and establish additional healthy behaviors based on their unique experiences. These healthy behaviors highlight ways to cultivate a positive group dynamic and environment, thereby fostering supportive belonging, ensuring inclusivity, and actively promoting the well-being and safety of all group members.
- Comfortable Pace
- Honesty
- Respect
- Kindness
- Healthy Conflict
- Trust
- Independence
- Equity
- Taking Responsibility
- Fun