How do we stop hazing

Most athletes reported that their institutions had athletic, behavioral, and academic standards guiding athletic recruitment.

Seventy-three percent of the athletes thought that their institutions enforced state drinking laws on campus and that their administrations prosecuted alcohol misconduct violations. Athletes had little or no knowledge, however, of strategies directly related to hazing prevention on their campuses.

Only 15 percent believed that their institutions involved law enforcement in monitoring, investigating, and prosecuting hazing incidents. Only 25 percent of athletes thought the institutions had clear staff expectations in athletics for monitoring and enforcing hazing policy. Individuals and organizations engage in hazing activities for many reasons. Some may engage in hazing activities with malicious intent because they enjoy the power they exert over younger members.

Others may seek positive outcomes for hazing activities, such as team building and group development. Students need to improve their self-esteem, grow up, learn to be mature, talk about it with other students, and put peer pressure out against it. Several students made statements such as: "The people who do it have to want to stop.

Otherwise it will continue. Increased awareness: Students suggested more information on hazing, including the harm it can cause, be provided through classes. They also mentioned making students aware of previous hazing accidents, "something similar to the mock car crashes they do for drunk driving.

Parents should be asked to help prevent it. One student noted that written, signed agreements don't help. Strict rules with enforcement: Students recommended expulsion, jail time, or generally "harsh punishment.