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
Support and Information
Hallam Students' Union has a section on their Societies page for reporting any concerns about how a society is being run.
The British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) website has information about hazing its Club Culture pages.
StopHazing is an American organisation and provides toolkits and guides for students and staff on preventing and addressing hazing.