It feels as though there is more hazing in the news than ever before, but does this mean there is more occurring? Likely not. In the same way that we see individuals becoming more comfortable speaking up about sexual harassment and sexual assault, the same lends true for hazing. The more it is in the news and the more victims and their families come forward publicly, the more others begin to report. And as we always say at ICS, it is hard to prevent what we do not know is occurring. The more we know, the better we can track patterns and trends, the more successful our prevention efforts become.

This week, September 23-27, 2024, is National Hazing Prevention Week. This week is a wonderful time for you to look at your hazing prevention efforts. Hazing and Title IX intersect across K-12 and higher education levels, spanning athletics and clubs, as well as Fraternity and Sorority Life on college campuses. It is crucial to address these overlaps to ensure safe and inclusive environments for all students.

Who should be trained to recognize and report hazing?

• Coaches – ALL OF THEM – Head coaches, assistants, volunteers, trainers, etc.
• Club and organization leaders
• Parents
• Athletes, club members, organization members
• Teachers, administrators, all other school employees

What should they be trained on:

• What to look for (signs of distress, physical injury, emotional changes, mental health concerns, change in academic success, etc.)
• How to create a healthy and inclusive culture (for example: how can new members be supported instead of called out or forced to serve older members?)
• The consequences for hazing (even the small stuff)
• Where and how to report concerning behavior
• Who are confidential resources (if any)?
• Policies against retaliation

ICS is committed to providing the care and support for those working in Title IX to navigate the complexities of addressing hazing situations at their schools, districts, and institutions. Our team offers a range of trainings designed to empower Title IX Coordinators with the confidence and expertise needed in their roles, including creating effective plans and policies to combat hazing.

Additionally, we have a new and exciting collaboration related to hazing response and prevention. We are working with A Better Way Athletics (ABW) to create new content for our Community Partners in Title IX University. In the meantime, we have a new episode of The Law and Education podcast featuring Heath Eslinger, Cofounder of ABW. He and I discussed Title IX and its impact on athletics including a deep dive into how Title IX regulations influence the sporting world. We also tackled the critical issue of hazing to offer guidance on training and prevention within the context of Title IX compliance.

It is our job as administrators to “sweat the small stuff.” We should be striving to create environments that limit the power differential and create a comfortable, supportive, and inclusive environment for the new members of the teams, clubs, and organizations.

Contact us if we can support you in your hazing prevention efforts.