Last summer, at an Episcopal church camp in Prescott Arizona, a group of junior high school boys arrived for what they thought was going to be a spiritual leadership camp and left feeling sexually violated and demoralized. Camp counselors used broomsticks or poles to poke and prod these boys in their buttocks as both punishment and entertainment for counselors in a bad mood. Photographs were taken that clearly showed the displeasure on the faces of the campers. Although the prosecutor’s office did not find that there was any sexual intent, these boys were clearly harmed emotionally by the experience that is now being dubbed as “hazing-gone-bad”. However, in addition to this type of incident, one of the camp counselors also practiced something called the Choking Game – an extremely dangerous hazing technique where children are asked to bend over and inhale deeply, stand up and endure being choked until they pass out from lack of oxygen. This game could have killed these children. These are the hands in which we trust our children at church summer camp?!
Hazing has a long history in America. Always with the intent to demean, hazing was never considered more than a harmless prank. But hazing isn’t harmless anymore. It is dangerous and serious and nothing to laugh at. Parents should know the risks of hazing, discuss them openly with their children and keep the lines of communication open at all times.
What is hazing? According to stophazing.org, “Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.
Who is at risk? Although we frequently association the word “hazing” with college fraternities, these days hazing is much more prevalent and starts very young. Children in any club, group, camp, sport or organization may potentially be the victims of a hazing incident.
How should you respond to a hazing incident? A hazing incident is serious business. Hazing is against the law in almost every state. Directors and administrators of every program should take rumors of hazing very seriously. Parents should file a report on behalf of their student and insist on an immediate resolution. If uncooperative, parents should file a report against the organization or group with the local police department.
Hazing is nothing to laugh at or tolerate and, until we treat it as such and stop down-playing it, we continue to send a message to our children that they can be hurt, demoralized, disrespected and devalued and that is ok. It’s not ok.
For more information, check out Mothers Against School Hazing