Education
is the key to changing society.
Hazing:
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.
Myths and Facts About Hazing:
If someone agrees to participate in an activity it can’t be considered hazing.
WRONG! In states that have laws against hazing, consent of the victim can’t be used as a defense against criminal charges. This is because even if someone agrees to participate in a potentially hazardous action, it may not be true consent when considering the peer pressure and desire to belong to the group. Utah Code states specifically that even if a member acquiesces to the pressure and willingly participates, criminal charges can still be brought against the perpetrators.
It is difficult to determine whether or not a certain activity is hazing – it’s such a grey area sometimes.
WRONG! Make the following inquires of each activity to determine whether it is hazing:
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Is alcohol involved?
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Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate with the new?
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Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
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Is there risk of injury of a question of safety?
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Would you have any difficulty in describing the activity to your parents, to a professor, or to a university official?
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Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by a local TV news crew?
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If you have to ask if it’s hazing, it is. If in doubt, call your advisor, professor, or RA. If
you won’t pick up the phone, you have your answer. Don’t BS yourself. If
you haze, you have low self-esteem, if you allow unreported hazing to occur,
you are a hazing enabler. If you fail to report, or intercede,
hazing will result in death.
Binge Drinking:
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A drunken spree or revel.
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Drinking alcohol solely for the
purpose of intoxication.
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The consumption of five or more
drinks for males and four or more drinks for females
during one drinking experience in a two-week period of
time.
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Alcohol Poisoning:
Alcohol poisoning occurs when the body
absorbs too much alcohol causing the areas in the brain that
control consciousness, respiration and heart rate to shut
down, which may lead to a coma or ultimately death.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
include:
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Confusion, stupor
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Vomiting
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Seizures
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Slow or irregular breathing (fewer
than 8 breaths/min or more than 10 seconds between
breaths)
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Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
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Low body temperature (hypothermia)
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Unconsciousness ("passing out" -
person can not be roused with loud noises or painful
stimuli (pinching or sternum rub)
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It's not necessary for all of these
symptoms to be present before seeking help. The only
thing that reverses the effects of alcohol is time -
something you may not have if you or your friend is
suffering from alcohol poisoning.
Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan
Policies:
Throughout the United States, colleges,
universities, local communities and some states are adopting
laws and policies that are designed to remove barriers for
students who need medical attention for impaired friends or
for themselves in alcohol or drug related emergencies.
Under "Medical Amnesty" and/or "Good Samaritan" policies,
students are potentially exempted from punitive action if
they call for medical assistance, which will help save lives
by eliminating anxiety about potential penalties for
consuming alcohol illegally. The goal is to prevent
senseless death as a result of inaction.
