Who is responsible when the consequences of hazing include illegality, injury, or even death— the host group or the individual who submits to hazing?
Who is responsible when the consequences of hazing include illegality, injury, or even death— the host group or the individual who submits to hazing?
There are consequences for individuals and organizations involved in hazing activities. It is important to understand how actions impact the indivuduals being hazed, those conducting the activies, and the organization they belong to.
For the person being hazed:
The media is full of stories reporting one of the worst possible consequences of hazing: death. While death is a horrendous possible outcome, there are far more examples of less severe but still life-altering consequences. One study has shown that 71% of those who are hazed suffer from negative consequences. These consequences may include:
- Physical, emotional, and/or mental instability
- Sleep deprivation
- Loss of sense of control and empowerment
- Decline in grades and coursework
- Relationships with friends, significant others, and family suffer
- Post-traumatic stress syndrome
- Loss of respect for and interest in being part of the organization
- Erosion of trust within the group members
- Illness or hospitalization with additional effects on family and friends
Those who are leading or participating in the hazing may unintentionally trigger the memory of a traumatic event in the victim’s past that could result in devastating consequences.
Someone who has been hazed is more likely to haze others in the future.
For the person doing the hazing
Those who are accused of engaging in the hazing behaviors may face:
- Legal actions up to and including jail time and fines –
The state of Michigan enacted an anti–hazing law in 2004. Those who are accused of engaging in hazing behaviors may face legal actions up to and including jailtime. In addition, victims of hazing may pursue monetary damage in civil court from individuals and groups involved.
- University action –
The U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, prohibits hazing. Those who are found responsible for hazing face sanctions which may range from participating in educational programming to separation from the University (suspension or expulsion).
- Membership and Organizational Sanctions –
Inter/national organizations may impose membership sanctions (probation, suspension or expulsion) and those that receive housing, scholarships, or financial assistance thorugh the national organization may lose all of those benefits.
Student organizations my suspend or terminate officer duties and/or membership.
Teams may suspend atheletes privileges or remove a student from a team.
- Personal impact –
In addition to being accountable to the organization, the University, the state criminal process, and civil litigation, those that haze may experience the following:
- Decline in grades and coursework
- Relationships with friends, significant others, and family suffer
- Loss of connection to alums through the organization
- Media scrutiny
- Damage to one's personal reputation
- Warped sense of leadership
- Feelings of shame and guilt
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