On a startling Court TV program, Al Roker investigated
horrors of 'hazing' reportedly not only in College sororities and fraternities, but even in high schools across country. The program was extremely revealing and shocking as it provided a weatlh of information regarding so-called Greek 'hazing' rituals carried out across this Nation. Unfortunately, hazing is a predominant force among colleges, schools, military and even church groups, that it is blatantly out of control. Often, supposed 'leaders' or participants of hazing are sadly protected by 'frat brothers & sisters,' school coaches, and are rarely prosecuted for hazing incidents - even those involving death. The horrors of hazing are so unbelievable that most parents would shiver to think that their child could ultimately be faced with such vile cruelty. What exactly is 'hazing?' According to NFHS' Interscholastic Athletic Administration magazine, 'Hazing is defined as: any act or ceremony which creates risk of harm to student or to any other party and that is committed as a form of initiation into a particular club or activity. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, activities that involve risk of physical harm, whipping, branding, ingesting vile substances, sleep deprivation, over-exposure to heat or cold, restraint, nudity, or kidnapping. Hazing could also include include actions or simulations of a sexual nature, activities that create a hostile, abusive, or intimidating environment for student.'
As a random example, state of South Carolina lists S.C. Code of Laws for hazing as:
ARTICLE 6.
HAZING SECTION 16-3-510
Hazing unlawful; definitions.
It is unlawful for a person to intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which have a foreseeable potential for causing physical harm to a person for purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with a chartered or nonchartered student, fraternal, or sororal organization. Fraternity, sorority, or other organization for purposes of this section means those chartered and nonchartered fraternities, sororities, or other organizations operating in connection with a school, college, or university. This section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, or military training whether state, federal, or educational.
SECTION 16-3-520.
Unlawful to assist in or fail to report hazing.
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly permit or assist any person in committing acts made unlawful by Section 16-3-510 or to fail to report promptly any information within his knowledge of acts made unlawful by Section 16-3-510 to chief executive officer of appropriate school, college, or university.
SECTION 16-3-530.
Penalties.
Any person who violates provisions of Sections 16-3-510 or 16-3-520 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed twelve months, or both.
SECTION 16-3-540.
Consent not a defense.
The implied or express consent of a person to acts which violate Section 16-3-510 does not constitute a defense to violations of Sections 16-3-510 or 16-3-520."
If we look at this law, we can clearly see how vaguely defined hazing law is. In fact, penalties are a gross insult to student or other individual victims of 'hazing incidents.' In one breath, it states that '...it is unlawful for a person to intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which have a forseeable potential for causing physical harm to a person...' Then if we scroll down on same code of laws' page, we find following set of similar laws, exluding hazing by definition:
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Article 7
ASSAULT AND CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT
SECTION 16-3-620.
Assault and battery with intent to kill.
The crime of assault and battery with intent to kill shall be a felony in this State and any person convicted of such crime shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed twenty years.
SECTION 16-3-654.
Criminal sexual conduct in third degree.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in third degree if actor engages in sexual battery with victim and if any one or more of following circumstances are proven:
(a) The actor uses force or coercion to accomplish sexual battery in absence of aggravating circumstances.
(b) The actor knows or has reason to know that victim is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless and aggravated force or aggravated coercion was not used to accomplish sexual battery.
(2) Criminal sexual conduct in third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten years, according to discretion of court.
ARTICLE 9.
KIDNAPPING SECTION
SECTION 16-3-910.
Kidnapping.
Whoever shall unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy, kidnap, abduct or carry away any other person by any means whatsoever without authority of law, except when a minor is seized or taken by his parent, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for a period not to exceed thirty years unless sentenced for murder as provided in Section 16-3-20.
SECTION 16-3-920.
Conspiracy to kidnap.
If two or more persons enter into an agreement, confederation, or conspiracy to violate provisions of Section 16-3-910 and any of such persons do any overt act towards carrying out such unlawful agreement, confederation, or conspiracy, each such person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished in like manner as provided for violation of Section 16-3-910.
ARTICLE 17.
HARASSMENT AND STALKING
SECTION 16-3-1700.
Definitions.
As used in this article:
(A) "Harassment" means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into private life of a targeted person that causes person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental distress. Harassment may include, but is not limited to:
(1) following targeted person as he moves from location to location;
