2025 Hazing Prevention Week
Published: September 26, 2025 | Author: River Deuel | Read Time: 2 minutes
Hazing Prevention Week at Southern Utah University will take place from September 30 to October 2, 2025. The Health and Wellness Center will host various activities on each of these days, kicking off the week with a tabling event to spread awareness about hazing on the 30th. On October 1st, a bystander intervention training will be held in the Escalante Room from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. To close out the events, a film from Stop Hazing will be shown in the Sterling Church Auditorium on October 2.
What is Hazing?
“Hazing” is a word used to describe any activity that someone joining or participating in a group is expected to perform that humiliates, endangers, or abuses them. It does not matter how willing the participant is to engage in this behavior. Three key components define hazing: it occurs in a group setting, includes humiliating or degrading behaviors, and happens regardless of the participants’ consent.
Negative Outcomes of Hazing
There are several negative effects of hazing at an individual level. The humiliation and abuse that define hazing can result in substantial emotional harm. Violent practices can also result in physical injury and even death. There are also negative outcomes for the university and the community as a whole. The most common argument in support of hazing practices is that hazing encourages group unity and connection.
This could not be further from the truth. The normalization of hazing establishes a campus culture that is not inclusive or safe.
How to Recognize Hazing and What You Can Do
Hazing can look like a wide range of behaviors. Deception, social isolation, use of demeaning names, verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, threats, forced alcohol consumption, branding, water intoxication, and abduction are all examples of hazing. When in doubt, call it out; it’s better to err on the side of caution.
You may think that there is not much that you can do to stop hazing as a bystander. However, if you witness hazing, there are a few vital steps that you can take to help make SUU’s campus a safer space for everyone. As a bystander, the first step is to realize that hazing is occurring. The second step is to recognize that hazing is dangerous and should not be tolerated. The third step is accepting responsibility. Everyone has a responsibility to stop hazing. The fourth step to stopping hazing is learning the intervention skills needed to do so. These include shifting the topic of focus and safe confrontation. The final step is to take action. Early intervention is key. Hazing can be reported via the following link: Incident Reporting Form.
For more information on hazing prevention, bystander intervention training, and hazing reporting, please visit the Health and Wellness Center website.
Tags: Campus Student Health and Wellness
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu