If you’re the parent of a college student, you’ve no doubt heard very disturbing stories about the potential consequences of hazing. Often, alcohol and drugs are involved.
While it’s most commonly associated with fraternity initiations, it also occurs on sports teams and student clubs – sometimes even at the high school level. It’s not limited to males. Girls and young women can participate in and become victims of hazing as well.
You might primarily be concerned with your child becoming a hazing victim, and that’s a valid concern that’s worth a conversation with them. Too often, however, kids who have never gotten in trouble before end up accused of hazing – and the consequences can affect their future.
Hazing is no longer considered a rite or passage or a harmless prank. Not only do colleges and universities have serious penalties for those who participate in hazing. Students can also find themselves charged with criminal offenses — – particularly if someone is harmed or dies as a result.
Georgia’s law against hazing
While Georgia has plenty of laws on the books to deal with offenses that lead to someone’s injury or death, it’s unique in the U.S. in having a specific law against hazing. It’s named for a young man from Georgia who died from alcohol poisoning after a fraternity hazing in another state.
The law defines hazing as “an activity which endangers or is likely to endanger the physical health of a student, or coerces the student…to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance….through the use of social or physical pressure….that will likely cause them to become intoxicated, pass out and/or throw up….regardless of a student’s willingness to participate in such activity.”
The offense is categorized as a “misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.” A person who is convicted can face up to a year in prison as well as a fine. Of course, other charges can well accompany a hazing charge – including drug and/or underage drinking charges along with more serious charges if someone dies or is permanently disabled.
A combination of alcohol and peer pressure can cause young people to do highly unwise things. It’s also easy to be wrongly accused if you’re in a large group where some people are violating the law. If your child is facing any criminal charges related to hazing, it’s crucial to protect their rights and their future.
