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Hazing Culture and Where It Leads

For Chapter Leader / New Member Educator

Hazing and sexual violence are connected. Research shows that organizations with hazing cultures also have higher rates of sexual misconduct — because hazing normalizes power imbalance, silence, and group loyalty over individual safety. This playbook helps members understand the link, recognize hazing in their own chapter, and build new member education that builds brotherhood without harm.

Steps

  1. Educate the chapter on the documented link between hazing and sexual violence using research from StopHazing and the Clery Center.
  2. Audit your current new member process — identify any activity that involves humiliation, coercion, sleep deprivation, or forced consumption.
  3. Replace harmful traditions with team-building activities that create genuine bonds (community service, mentorship pairs, skill workshops).
  4. Establish a no-retaliation reporting channel for members who feel a practice crosses the line.
  5. Train the new member educator on positive community building — brotherhood through shared achievement, not shared suffering.
  6. Document your new member program and share it with your chapter advisor and national headquarters for accountability.