What To Do If You Are Being Hazed

If you have been hazed, take action. Don’t be a bystander.

• Stay connected with friends outside of the group. Groups that haze often try to isolate their new members from others who might challenge them to question what they are going through.
• Talk with others about what you are going through. You do not have to keep it a secret. Demanding secrecy is a common practice designed to protect people who are abusing others. You have a right to tell anyone anything you want about what you are going through, even if you were made to promise that you would not tell. Talking with others may save yourself or others from harm.
• Seek guidance from your parents/guardian, other family members, trusted friends or university officials.
• Refuse to participate. Others before you have done so.
• Join together with other new members to refuse to be hazed. There is power in numbers.
• Leave the group. This is hard to do, but it is always an option. Walking away from hazing takes strength. Don't believe it if anyone tries to tell you that it is sign of weakness or that you weren't tough enough to take it. Quitting when you are being hazed takes character, courage and integrity. There are likely others in the group that will leave with you but need someone like you to take the first step.  
• Talk to a health care provider or mental health professional to help you sort out what to do.
• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to your safety or the safety of others.
• REPORT the hazing. We cannot stop hazing if we don't know about it. The Code of Student Conduct requires students to report hazing. Collin's Law also has reporting requirements. When in doubt - report!

In addition to physical harm or the risk of physical harm, students who have been subjected to hazing may experience a range of issues that cause harm, create barriers to learning or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol or drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. The university offers services for students to assist with addressing these and other concerns. 

You can learn more about the broad range of services available on campus via Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) by visiting ccs.osu.edu or calling 614-292- 5766. CCS is located on the 4th Floor of the Younkin Success Center and 10th Floor of Lincoln Tower.

You can reach an on-call counselor when CCS is closed at 614-292-5766 and 24-hour emergency help is also available through the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1- 800-273-TALK or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.