Monday, March 4, twelve former university band members were charged with manslaughter in the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion Jr. Previously, 10 ex-students were charged with felony hazing resulting in death. Currently, the previous 10, plus two other former students will also be charged with manslaughter.
According to hazingprevention.org, 1.5 million high school students are hazed each year and more than 250,000 college students experienced some type of hazing to join an athletic team. Research has shown that 95 percent of hazing victims do not report the incident.
Florida's anti-hazing law is one of the most severe in the nation. As a result of the law passed in 2005, a student found guilty of hazing could be subject to jail time.
Sadly, 9 out of 10 students who have experienced hazing while in college do not consider themselves to have been hazed. The National Federation of State High School Associations defines hazing as any humiliating or dangerous activity expected of a student to belong to a group, regardless of their willingness to participate. Some practices associated with hazing result in serious bodily harm and even death. These practices include: tattooing, branding, head-shaving, piercing, physical punishment, sleep deprivation, consuming unreasonable foods, beverages, and drugs, kidnapping, personal hygiene deprivation, and inappropriate sexual behavior.
Hazing is not a harmless right of passage. It does not establish camaraderie. Hazing rituals often destroy self-esteem, create stress, and can aggravate or induce psychological illnesses. Contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton if you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed through the acts of hazing.
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