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Parent and Family Program PSAs

A family guide to hazing prevention and reporting

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As part of their college experience, your student may join clubs, organizations, or living groups.
This gives them an opportunity to grow as leaders and individuals in an environment where
they can be their authentic selves. Joining these groups is highly encouraged to fully participate
in the college experience UW offers students. Unfortunately, hazing behaviors can occur in
organizations, clubs, or living groups

What is Hazing?

Hazing is any act committed as part of a person鈥檚 recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group. The behavior is likely to cause bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm to any students, regardless of their willingness to participate. ()

Examples of Hazing

Below are three levels of hazing, with examples provided. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of hazing examples.

Intimidation

Intimidation is the lowest level of hazing behaviors and focuses
on the power dynamics between new members and active/older members.
Examples include socially isolating new members, forcing them to carry an object,
and name-calling.

Harassment

Harassment hazing is mid-tier and can cause emotional or physical
distress to an individual. Examples include verbal abuse, public embarrassment,
personal servitude, and any form of questioning conducted under pressure or in an
uncomfortable situation.

Violence

Violent hazing is the most severe form of hazing, involving behaviors
intended to cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm. Examples include
forced consumption, branding, assault, and paddling.

Reporting of Hazing

Individuals, including parents and families, are encouraged to report hazing to UW if they
believe that hazing has occurred or will occur. This allows UW to provide resources to
potentially impact students and hold organizations and individuals accountable.
To make a report, UW offers multiple methods for stakeholders:

  • Text 206-203-3435 to make an anonymous report. This provides UW with an
    opportunity to engage in two-way communication with the reporter.
  • Select the appropriate campus below to make an online report.
    • Bothell –
    • Seattle –
    • Tacoma –

Information to include:

  • What happened?
  • Who is involved (student and/or organization)?
  • When/where did the hazing occur?
  • Is the hazing ongoing?

It鈥檚 okay if you or your student doesn’t have all this information when reporting. Please provide
as many details as possible to help UW understand the behavior of the group.
Thank you for all you do to help keep UW a safe community where all students can thrive. To
learn more about UW鈥檚 prevention programs, resources, and reporting, please visit UW’s Hazing Prevention website
website. If you have questions or concerns, contact the Hazing Prevention and Response Team
at nohazing@uw.edu