Refuse
Saying no to hazing activities makes a difference. Together we can protect our campus from hazing by refusing to engage in or be witness to hazing activities. In many cases, hazing is confused with team building activities, however, there are number of differences that distinguish hazing from team building.
Team Building
- Promotes respect and dignity
- Supports and empowers
- Creates unity, lifelong memories, pride, and integrity
- Is a shared positive experience
Hazing
- Humiliates and degrades
- Tears down individuals
- Creates division, nightmares, shame, and secrecy
- Is a power trip
Don’t Participate in Hazing
Be sure you are confident that the activities you are choosing to participate in and be witness to could not be considered hazing. Bystanders who do not engage in but participate passively by watching a hazing incident occur are also held responsible for their participation in the incident.
To be sure you are not participating in hazing, ask yourself:
- Am I doing anything illegal?
- Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret? Why?
- Would I participate in this activity if my parents were watching?
- Does this activity violate my values or those of this organization?
- Is it causing emotional distress or stress of any kind to me or others?
The Liberty Way
Virginia Law