Fraternity and Sorority Hazing

As parents, we plan for the day that our son or daughter graduates high school and we send them off to college to prepare them for their future. We worry about missing them terribly, yet we have dreamed of this moment since they were very young and it's finally become a reality. The idea of a child becoming an unwilling victim in a hazing incident never even crosses our minds until it is too late.

What is Hazing Exactly?

Hazing is defined as any activity expected of someone joining a group that abuses, humiliates or endangers regardless of the individuals willingness to participate. Hazing is an activity in which the "hierarchy" orders other members of a lower rank to engage in hazing activities that "initiate" a newcomer, and more often than not, subject the newcomer to a variety of hazing abuses, including such things as:

• Beating
• Branding
• Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances
• Burning
• Expecting abuse of animals
• Public nudity
• Bondage
• Abductions and kidnaps
• Exposure to the elements
• Verbal abuse
• Threats or implied threats
• Sleep deprivation

Hazing Statistics

According to the National study conducted by University of Maine researchers Elizabeth Allan and Mary Madden, "Hazing View: College Students at Risk":

• More than half of college students involved in clubs, teams etc. experienced hazing. Nearly half of the students coming to college had prior hazing.
• Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep-deprivation, and sex acts are common hazing practices among students.
• Two in five students say they are aware hazing takes place on their campus.
• 82% of deaths from hazing involve alcohol.

44 States have laws against hazing, Texas is one of them. There is a fine line between bullying and hazing and bullying can happen anyplace and at any time. Hazing is done in order to gain entrance into a club or organization. Hazing can not only be a violation of one's integrity, but can be extremely dangerous for your son or daughter's wellbeing.

If your child has been a victim of hazing, then it will be in their best interest to contact a personal injury attorney at The Doan Law firm. Each state has their own set of laws pertaining to fraternity and sorority hazing. We are well versed in the laws pertaining to Texas and can use this knowledge to help you build an effective personal injury case.

Contact a Houston Fraternity and Sorority Hazing Attorney for a free consultation today.