The University of Washington prohibits student organizations and athletic teams from engaging individually or collectively in hazing activities.
Definition
Hazing includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime that is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student. This includes causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate (RCW 28B.10.900).
Characteristics
Hazing is characterized as any activity that includes one or more of the characteristics described below:
- Activities that expose personal values to compromise or ridicule.
- Activities that abuse the trust an organization strives to build between its members and prospective members.
- Stunts that have no meaningful relationship to the objectives of the organization.
- Activities that humiliate or subject individuals to circumstances with which they are not comfortable or of which they are fearful.
- Activities that are illegal or violate University policy.
- Activities that interfere with academic pursuits or normal life functions.
- Some examples of prohibited activities are forced swallowing of uncommon substances, forced consumption of alcohol or drugs, excessive exercise, and sleep or sensory deprivation.
Levels of hazing
The tabs below outline the three levels of hazing, including definitions and examples. This is not an exhaustive list of hazing behaviors, and many other behaviors could be considered hazing.
Intimidation hazing is the lowest level offense of hazing. These are behaviors that emphasize the power imbalance between newer and older members. Below are some examples of this type of hazing:
- Name-calling
- Any form of demerits
- Duties only assigned to new members / rookies
- Forcing individuals to carry around an object
- Social isolation of new members
- Silence period with implied threats for violation
Intimidation behaviors occur more frequently but are less recognizable
Citation: (Allan, 2005; Allan & Kerschner, 2020; [Adapted from Bringing in the Bystander®], The Spectrum of Hazing™)
Harassment hazing is a mid-tier offense of hazing. These behaviors cause unnecessary emotional or physical distress. Below are some examples of this type of hazing:
- Verbal abuse
- Threats or implied threats
- Requiring new members / rookies to perform personal service toward an older member
- Any form of questioning under pressure or in an uncomfortable situation
- Public embarrassment, including social media
- Sleep deprivation
- Sexual simulation
Harassment behaviors are the middle of how frequently and severity of the three levels
Citation: (Allan, 2005; Allan & Kerschner, 2020; [Adapted from Bringing in the Bystander®], The Spectrum of Hazing™)
Violent hazing is the highest form of hazing an organization or team can exhibit. These behaviors are intended to cause harm physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Below are some examples of this type of hazing:
- Forced alcohol consumption (explicit or implicit)
- Beating, paddling, or other forms of physical assault
- Branding
- Forced ingestion of vile substances
- Water intoxication
- Abduction / kidnapping
- Sexual assault
Violent behaviors occur more recognizable but occurs less frequently
Citation: (Allan, 2005; Allan & Kerschner, 2020; [Adapted from Bringing in the Bystander®], The Spectrum of Hazing™)
Identifying hazing
Identifying the type of activities and signs that someone is being effected by hazing is the first step in prevention hazing.
Signs of hazing
If you notice any of the signs below, it could be that the individual might be experienced hazing.
- Sudden change in behavior or attitude after joining the organization
- Change in sleeping or eating habits
- Not attending classes or sudden decline in academic performance
- Unexplained injury or illness
- Sudden decrease in communication with family and friends
- Expressed feeling of sadness or worthlessness
- Physical or psychological exhaustion
- Withdrawal from normal activities
- Unexplained weight loss
Is the activity hazing?
Ask yourself the following questions; if the answer is ‘yes,’ that activity could be hazing.
- Would I feel uncomfortable participating in this activity if a family member, the media, or a university staff member were watching?
- Would active or older members of the group refuse to participate in?
- Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
- Am I doing anything illegal?
- Does the activity not align my values or the values of the organization?
- Is the activity about exerting power over others?
- Is this activity causing harm, either emotional, mental, or physical, to participants?
- Do members defend the activity as ‘tradition’?
What to do if you are being hazed?
Hazing can happen to any student, and the impact can look and feel different for each individual. If you are being hazed, take action. Don’t be a bystander and allow the behavior to continue.
Below are tips and strategies to help you should you be hazed.
- Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the safety of yourself and/or other individuals
- Report hazing! We cannot provide resources to students or hold individuals and organizations accountable without a report. The Student Conduct Code prohibits hazing by both individual students and organizations.
- Seek guidance or assistance from your parents/guardian, family member, trusted friends, or university members
- Refuse to participate in the group activities or events. Find an excuse or reason to remove yourself from the situation.
- Join together with the other new members and refuse to be hazed. There is power in numbers.
- Leave the organization. This is easier said than done, but walking away from the mistreatment takes strength and is not a sign of weakness, no matter what anyone says. Other individuals in the organization will likely leave with you, but they need someone to show them it’s an option.
- Stay connected with friends and individuals outside the group.
- Talk with others about your experience, because you don’t need to keep it a secret. Demanding or expecting secrecy in groups is common to protect those engaging in hazing. You have the right to tell anyone about your experiences. Talking with others might save you or others from harm, including psychological.