Examples of Hazing

Hazing Definitions

Hazing refers to any activity that is condition upon recruitment, admission, affiliation, or continued participation in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers someone, regardless of consent or a person's willingness to participate.听Incidents of hazing can occur in many types of social and professional groups, organizations, teams, and workplaces. A common misperception is that if someone agrees to participate in an activity, it cannot be considered hazing. The power of peer pressure coupled with someone's desire to belong to the group can create a coercive environment--which limits free consent. (could also add threats or intentional omission of details).

Hazing is a 抖阴旅行射 Policy violationand defines hazing as:Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the health, safety, or welfare of, or causes a risk of bodily injury to, an individual for the purpose of initiation, participation, admission into, or affiliation with any organization or 抖阴旅行射 Boulder group. Hazing includes but is not limited to: any abuse of a mental or physical nature, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drugs, or substances, any forced physical activity that could adversely affect the health or safety of an individual, any activity that would subject the individual to embarrassment or humiliation, or any forced violation of 抖阴旅行射 Boulder policy, and/or local, state, or federal law. The willingness of the participant in such activities are notwithstanding. It is important to know that hazing can happen in any group.

Colorado also has laws against hazing.听 C.R.S. 18-9-124

  1. 鈥淗azing鈥 means any activity by which a person recklessly endangers the health or safety of or causes a risk of bodily injury to an individual for purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student organization; except that 鈥渉azing鈥 does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions, or authorized training activities conducted by members of the armed forces of the state of Colorado or the United States.
  2. 鈥淗azing鈥 includes but is not limited to:
    1. Forced and prolonged physical activity.
    2. Forced consumption of any food, beverage, medication or controlled substance, whether or not prescribed, in excess of the usual amounts for human consumption or forced consumption of any substance not generally intended for human consumption;
    3. Prolonged deprivation of sleep, food, or drink

What does hazing look like?

Hazing encompasses a wide range of activities. These activities are often required of specific members of the group, such as new recruits. Additionally, they are often meant to take priority over other activities in a person鈥檚 life as part of the initiation process. Due to the nature of these activities, many hazing behaviors go unrecognized and unreported.

There is a wide range of behaviors and activities that fit the definition of hazing, the following are selected examples of hazing divided into three categories: intimidation,听 harm to well-being, and violence/physical harm. It is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors because many are context-specific. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it provides some examples of hazing.

Intimidation
  • Deception
  • Assigning demerits
  • Demeaning names
  • Socially isolating
  • Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession
  • Ignoring members
  • Progress report for members
  • Duties assigned only to specific members
  • Trying to instill fear in members
  • Depriving members of privileges
Harm to well-being
  • Verbal abuse
  • Threats or implied threats
  • Asking new members to wear embarrassing attire
  • skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Sexual simulations
  • Questioning or interrogation under pressure
  • Requiring new members to perform personal service to active members or alumni (e.g. carrying books, running errands)
  • Required singing or chanting at an unrelated game or event听
Violence/physical harm
  • Forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, food, etc.
  • Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
  • Branding
  • Water intoxication
  • Abductions/kidnapping
  • Sexual assault, including inappropriate touching, non-consensual sex (oral, anal, vaginal) or sexual acts with objects (including sex toys)
  • Forced tattoos or body piercings
  • Enduring harsh weather without appropriate clothing or protection

If you or someone you know thinks they may be or have experienced hazing, OVA is a confidential and free resource for 抖阴旅行射 Boulder students, staff and faculty.听 To learn more about hazing, like how to prevent it or signs of someone being hazed, visit 抖阴旅行射's Don't Ignore It hazing page.

To learn more about the 抖阴旅行射 investigation process and how to help visit 抖阴旅行射鈥檚 Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution page on hazing.

What to do if you are being hazed

  • Maintain a balance between friendships/relationships and the organization. Do not lose contact with friends and family you have outside of the organization.
  • Be open about what you are going through. Your family and friends want to support you regardless of if hazing is occurring. They cannot do that without open communication.
  • Remember, you still have control over how you participate. You can refuse to participate. You can leave the group. You can unite and work with other members who are also being hazed.
  • Seek out advice from family, friends, health care professionals, administrators, advisors etc. They want what is best for you.听

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