What is Hazing?
Hazing or initiation ceremonies are activities, rituals or challenges that a person is expected or pressured to take part in to join, be accepted by or gain status within a group, team or society. These activities may cause humiliation, embarrassment, intimidation, harm or risk to wellbeing, regardless of whether participation appears voluntary.
Examples of Hazing or Initiation Activities
- Being pressured to drink excessive amounts of alcohol or take substances
- Performing humiliating, degrading or embarrassing acts
- Wearing inappropriate clothing or costumes in public
- Enduring verbal abuse, intimidation or harassment
- Being deprived of sleep, food or basic comforts
- Participating in dangerous physical challenges or dares
- Carrying out tasks that put someone at risk of injury
- Being excluded, isolated or subjected to public ridicule
- Engaging in unwanted sexualised, discriminatory or degrading activities
- Being coerced into activities as a condition of joining or remaining in a group