Hazing
Hazing (HAZ) - Level III
Definition:
Any action or situation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student at a school with any of grades 6 through 12 for purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any school-sanctioned organization. Hazing includes, but is not limited to pressuring, coercing, or forcing a student to participate in illegal or dangerous behavior, or any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, or exposure to the elements.
Examples
- Pressuring, coercing or forcing a student into 1) violating state or federal law; 2) consuming any food, liquor, drug, or other substance; or 3) participating in physical activity that could adversely affect the health or safety of the student for purposes of initiation or admission.
Non-Examples
- Requiring new team members to attend additional supervised practices.
Additional Guidelines
Note: Hazing incidents must also be reported in the related element "Hazing-Related"
FAQ
How should we code an incident if criminal acts or other code of conduct violations were committed as part of a hazing ritual?- Such an incident would be coded in SESIR as the relevant criminal act (Vandalism, Larceny/Theft, etc.) or violation (Sexual Harassment, etc.) and also as Hazing-Related. If the actual offense is a lower level SESIR offense than Hazing, Level III (such as Alcohol, Level IV) it would be more appropriate to code the incident as Hazing, Alcohol-Related.
Statutes
- 1006.135 Hazing prohibited at schools with any of grades 6-12
Contact
Office of Safe Schools
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1302
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Phone: 850-245-5173
Julie.Collins@fldoe.org