“Seeing someone laying there like that and not calling for help; I’ll never understand that. They can take a photo of someone soiling themselves but they couldn’t call 911.” -Kim Burch

“This is the kind of event that weighs on you over time, and it didn’t have to happen. When you see someone who’s 19 or 20 years old, who’s life is just beginning, it’s unfortunate that these tragedies happen, but they happen across the country. The one thing that we should get people to understand is that hazing is not a ritual, it’s criminal. In this case, a young person lost his life. Hazing has to stop.” – Bob Roberts

“If the culture was still a beer culture, I would have less concerns and issues. Liquor has such a different impact on these young people’s lives than beer.” -Bob Roberts

“If you see somebody whose health is impaired, call us. We’d rather come on those calls and address that health concern before it becomes a tragedy; and it’s getting people to understand that that is the challenge.” Bob Roberts

Fact: Hazing is an act of power and control over others — it is victimization. Hazing is premeditated and NOT accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and often life-threatening.

Fact: Hazing is a societal problem. Hazing incidents have frequently been documented in the military, athletic teams, marching bands and other performance groups, religious cults, professional schools, and other types of clubs and/or organizations. Reports of hazing activities are on the rise in high schools.

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.

Fact: Even if there isn’t any malicious intent, safety may still be a factor in traditional hazing activities that are considered to be “all in good fun.” Keep in mind: Bad things happen when we least expect them to. Hazing activities serve no purpose in promoting the growth and development of group members.

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.

Fact: An individual or group’s sense of self-respect, self-worth, physical and psychological integrity, and empowerment, is called human dignity. Human dignity is inherent in every human being. Human dignity is harmed when individuals and groups are marginalized, ignored, or devalued. Discipline is designed to foster respect for self and others. Hazing is harmful to the dignity and self-respect of new members and is the opposite of true discipline.

Fact: It’s not difficult to decide if an activity is hazing if you use common sense. If something seems wrong, it probably is. Is this activity showing concern for the well-being for all members of the group? Besides, when in doubt, you can always ask an administrator.

Fact: “Tradition” does not justify subjecting new members to dangerous action. Traditions are created by groups, and groups hold the power to change or eliminate them. It only takes one year to break a hazing tradition. Remember that the founding members of organizations were not hazed … these “traditions” were created at a later time. One class can break the “tradition” of hazing – it just takes courage and integrity to do what is right.

Fact: Hazing may seemingly create unity among new members, but there are often larger costs involved. The effect of hazing in a group can be like the effect of a hurricane on a community: residents feel closer to each other afterward but some may be suffering. More often, hazing builds animosity between people and does nothing to foster trust, unity, or respect.

Fact: Many people submit to hazing because they desire acceptance by others, are afraid to resist, or feel a need to prove to themselves or others they are worthy or tough (i.e. “a real man”). These motives reflect conformity, fear, and insecurity, which are not qualities typically associated with strength. In contrast, standing up to a group of peers or breaking free from hazing shows strength.

• More than 250,000 students experienced some sort of hazing to join a college athletic team.
• 5% of all college students admit to being hazed.
• 40% admit to knowing about hazing activities.
• 40% report that a coach or club advisor was aware of the hazing.
• 22% report that the coach or advisor was involved in the hazing.
• 50% of the female NCAA Division I athletes reported being hazed.
• More than 20% of female NCAA athletes were subjected to alcohol-related hazing; however even a higher percentage admitted to “mental hazing” which ranged from singing to being kidnapped.3
• 10% of the female NCAA athletes were physically hazed including being branded, tattooed, beaten thrown in water of having their head forcibly shaved.
• 6-9% of the female NCAA athletes were subjected to sexually related hazing including harassment, actual assault or being expected to simulate sex activities.