What is Hazing?

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group (such as a sports team, fraternity, sorority, club, military unit, or workplace) that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers their physical or emotional well-being.

What are the key characteristics of Hazing?

• Group Context: It occurs within a hierarchy or group dynamic where power differentials exist between senior members and newcomers.
• Consent Does Not Matter: It happens regardless of whether the person willingly agrees to participate, as peer pressure, coercion, and a desire to belong often obscure real consent.
• Risk of Harm: It creates a risk of physical injury, psychological distress, illness, or death that goes far beyond normal team conditioning or orientation.

What Can You Do?

• Call out inappropriate behaviors.
• Create a culture of safe traditions.
• Engage in Hazing prevention events and training.
• Utilize bystander intervention skills when you feel harm is happening.

Need Help?

Access or contact any of these resources on or off campus for help.

• Report Hazing on campus: Anonymous Reporting
• Dean of Students: dos@holyfamily.edu
• Title IX: titleix@holyfamily.edu
• Athletic Director: thamill@holyfamily.edu
• CAPE Office: cape@holyfamily.edu
• Student Engagement: seo@holyfamily.edu
• Public Safety: 267-341-3333 (Philadelphia) or 267-341-4011 (Newtown)
• National Anti-Hazing Hotline, 24/7 anonymous reporting system: 1-888-668-4293
• Can also submit reports through the Hazing Prevention Network 

Zero-Tolerance Policy for Hazing

Holy Family University maintains a zero-tolerance policy for Hazing. Any student, other person associated with an Organization, or an Organization responsible for Hazing under this Policy, whether occurring on or off campus, may face sanctions from the University, and may also face criminal charges under state law, including The Timothy J. Piazza Anithazing Law.

Holy Family University requires all members of the University community who believe that they have witnessed, experienced, or are aware of conduct that constitutes Hazing or Organizational Hazing in violation of the Policy to report the violation to the Coordinator for Student Engagement, the Director of Athletics, the Title IX Coordinator, or the Dean of Students. Enforcement and adjudication of this Policy shall follow the University Judicial Process and Procedures, as outlined in the Student Handbook.