I have been doing hazing prevention as part of my career for more than 15 years now, and as the primary direction of my professional focus for just over four years. As someone who thinks about this issue every day, it can be frustrating to realize the rest of the world only seems to pay attention after another hazing tragedy makes the news.
Physical Hazing & Death
The latest in a long string of hazing deaths occurred at Florida A&M University in November of 2011, when a drum major was beaten to death running a gauntlet on the bus, following a performance by the famed "Marching 100." It is gratifying that the media seems to be taking the issue more seriously following this death than they have many others.
Perhaps the increased attention is because this tragedy happened to a band member rather than another "frat guy." It has raised awareness that this is a problem which extends beyond the fraternity/sorority community. Research has told us this as well, with data suggesting the highest levels of hazing occur in athletics, followed closely by Greek life, but also including a wide variety of student groups such as performing arts (including music and theater groups), rec sports, and even religiously affiliated student groups.
Some of the most visible recent hazing incidents have occurred outside of the college realm altogether in high school and professional athletics and the military. Two highly reported suicides among military personnel have taken place in the past few years. Additionally, this is not just a U.S. problem. A study about the Russian military suggested that recruiting problems were not related to fear of death or time away from family, but rather fear of extreme hazing.
Additionally, a number of fraternity deaths have been recorded in the Philippines in recent years, and Korean middle school hazing has also made the media. "Ragging" has long been reported in India, including a prominent news story of the death of a medical school student from this practice a few years ago.
Emotional Hazing
While the death or physical injury of anyone due to hazing is always a tragedy, there is another side to this problem that we almost never hear about, and when we do, we often don't take seriously. A famous high school cheerleader hazing case in Texas got widespread media attention a few years ago. The mother appeared on a national morning news show visibly upset at the emotional trauma that her daughter had experienced as a result of having her hands and feet duct taped and being thrown into a pool (she was told she was being thrown off a cliff into the river below). When shown video of the mother’s tearful account of the emotional toll this had on her daughter, the perpetrators laughed.
This reaction is perhaps why most people don’t share the emotional impact hazing has on them. Being able to "take it" is one of the hallmarks of hazing from the perpetrators' perspective. If you can't, perhaps you aren't good enough to be one of us. Victims of hazing know this, and their shame at appearing weak keeps them from revealing the emotional toll the hazing has had on them. (For more about this, download the 2011 National Hazing Prevention Week Resource Guide and read The Hidden Harm of Shame.)
If an individual has a trauma in their background, the impact of hazing can be even greater for them. As new students to an organization — as hazing victims often are — little is known about them at the time they are hazed. Without realizing it, perpetrators can re-traumatize someone bringing out PTSD-type symptoms if victims have had any of the following types of experiences: sexual assault, addiction, abuse, military service, abandonment, violence, serious illness, mental health issues, grief, etc.
Because shame and self-blame prevents individuals from sharing these types of stories, the perception of hazing by the public is that it ONLY includes serious physical harm. Therefore, acts of humiliation, degradation, embarrassment, harassment and ridicule mostly escape the hazing label, and aren't taken as seriously. It is certainly a tragedy that dozens of people have been killed in hazing incidents over the years, (close to 100 according to the records kept by Hank Nuwer) but the tragedy of so many of the hazed and bullied feeling ashamed is just as significant. Because it is hidden from our view, we don't know how far-reaching it is, nor do we consider the negative impact it has on our society. We should.
Follow this link for more about the concept of Hidden Harm, and videos on the subject.
Conclusions
Students rarely think they are going to kill someone, but being exposed to the idea that they might emotionally scar someone for life is often sobering. It is only through bringing these issues to light and discussing them openly that we will begin to more fully understand the impacts of hazing in our society. Hazing should be a focus on our campuses and society year-round, and not just during National Hazing Prevention Week or after a tragedy occurs. These events can certainly present opportunities for discussion and awareness that should be utilized, but can't be the only time we discuss the problem if we hope to find solutions.
What You Can Do
Educate Yourself. The more you know, the more prepared you will be to discuss the issue when the opportunity arises. There are many resources on the HPO website, and a growing body of research about hazing, including books and academic studies. Read these materials and share them with others.
Talk About it. One of the most important things we can do to eliminate hazing from our society is to talk about it. Hazing is often shrouded in secrecy. Victims are threatened about what will happen to them if they talk, and part of the hazing is often separation from outside friends and family. By opening up the conversation with others in our circle, we let them know our positions and gain allies. We understand why hazing persists and how others view it, which gives us a richer perspective on how to deal with it. If you have a personal story about how hazing has affected you, share it in your community or more publicly on our website. These stories have a profound impact on people's perceptions of hazing.
Take Action. There are many avenues open to us to deal with hazing. The important thing is not continuing to be a bystander, watching it happen, but doing nothing. From educating yourself and others to reporting a problem, to beginning a discussion among your friends, serving on the NHPW planning committee or other task force or telling your story, choose the actions that feels most comfortable to you. Challenging hazing and hazers directly can be dangerous physically and/or socially. Build a group of allies before taking action that may put you in peril.
Tracy Maxwell is the founder and Executive Director of HazingPrevention.Org. She has been working in and around higher education for 20 years. Her intention is that through sharing our personal stories, we can begin to feel less ashamed, disconnected and alone, and recognize the power we have to prevent and address hazing in our communities.
