Notice a concerning change in behavior of a UW-Madison friend, community member, or loved one that you suspect is tied to their involvement with an organization? The next step is to take action.
If you experienced or saw a hazing incident directly, file a report.
What can you do to intervene?
- Start asking questions early. Initiate a conversation by telling the individual you have noticed a change in their behavior, and you are concerned.
- Provide information. Discuss your understanding of hazing and the potential for harm.
- Let the person know you care. Share information about where to report hazing.
These conversations can increase awareness of hazing, draw attention to the problem of hazing, and illuminate a hazing culture that may not be highly visible to others. Utilize the three methods of intervention to begin these conversations.
Three Methods of Intervention:
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Confrontation
Method #1: Confrontation -Engage people in thinking more critically about hazing.
As a bystander you could:
- Express your concerns and demonstrate your care for the person about what is happening to them
- Talk about the specifics for why you are concerned
- Describe how what is happening makes you and others feel
- Ask the other person if they understand your point of view
- Brainstorm with the other person about what can be done to address what is going on
- Offer support and encouragement for change
- Agree on a plan for follow up
(Berkowitz, 2009)
Shifting the Focus
Method #2: Shifting the Focus – Disengage from the hazing by focusing elsewhere
As a bystander you could:
- If a person engages you to participate in hazing, find a way to ignore, not engage, or show that you will not participate.
- If a person persists in urging you to participate in hazing, shift attention away; try changing the subject and talking about something else to convey you aren’t available or interested in participating.
- When hazing comes up reframe or revise a remark or behavior and shift attention to another activity or behavior free of hazing that works to achieve the group’s goals.
- Instigate discussion about positive values and non-hazing approaches to group bonding.
Shifting Attitudes
Method #3: Shifting Attitudes – Engage in extended discussions and trainings
This includes actions and activities that:
- Increase awareness of hazing
- Facilitate a change in a person or group’s attitudes about hazing and how the perceptions of hazing are incorrect — meaning there are other healthy ways to reach group goals and create a sense of belonging and connection within the group.
- Instigate a change in an offending person’s or group’s understanding about why hazing and their specific behavior is problematic and is in misalignment with their goals, values, mission, etc.
It takes thoughtful intention and care to engage in bystander intervention in ways that are safe and that promote the mutual respect we all need as members of a group or community.
StopHazing.org
Take Action
Indirect Intervention
As a bystander you can:
- Increase discussion about hazing and expand awareness so that more people notice hazing when it
happens. - Shift people’s understanding of hazing to view it as a problem.
- Improve awareness of hazing policies so that more people understand expectations and consequences for individuals who haze.
- Educate about hazing prevention and what individuals can do to address the problem of hazing.
- Support people who experience hazing by talking with them about what happened and connecting
them to people who can help. - Educate people who haze others by talking with them about what happened, discussing activities free of hazing that reach the same goals, and connecting them to people who can help.
- Support others who want to prevent hazing by joining with them to find solutions.
Direct Intervention
As a bystander you can:
- Let others know that you do not intend to participate in
hazing when it is taking place or could take place. - Encourage others not to participate in hazing.
- Discourage others who are hazing from continuing with
what they are doing. - Propose options for healthy group activities that work
towards the group’s goals and/or are aligned with the
mission of the group when planning an induction or
new member process.
Don’t wait to be involved in hazing prevention!
Start where you are! The time is now to play your part in ensuring that you, your peers, and other members of your group, organization, or community can participate in living and learning environments free from hazing.
Take Action
Policy & Violations
Learn more about UW-Madison’s hazing policy and stay informed on the organizations who have violated hazing policy at the university.
Our Commitment
Learn more about the University's commitment to Hazing Prevention and the steps it takes in creating a safe campus environment.
Hazing 101
Learn more about what hazing is, how it progresses, and how to identify it early.