Hazing
The University of New Mexico prohibits hazing activities as requirements for acceptance, advancement, membership or continued measure of good standing in formal/informal student groups, clubs or athletic teams.
First Steps to Consider:
- Get to a safe place
- Preserve all evidence.
- Save all text messages, emails, social media postings (taking screenshots can be helpful) or anything else that might relate to the incident.
- Go to a nearby hospital or medical center for medical attention, if needed
- Call a trusted friend, family member or someone else who can provide emotional support.
- Contact a resource center to help you navigate your options
If you have been hazed...
Reactions to being hazed vary. Two people who go through the same experience might feel quite differently. Some people feel relatively positive about going through hazing (seeing it as an achievement), some feel mildly annoyed, and others have strong negative reactions. Reactions depend on the extent of the hazing, individual characteristics, and past experiences. For people who have been abused in the past, hazing can be re-traumatizing.
- Anger, confusion, betrayal, fear, resentment, embarrassment, humiliation, hopelessness, helplessness, anxiety and depression are all normal reactions to being hazed.
- Physical consequences can include exhaustion, headaches, hangovers, illnesses, injuries, and scars.
- It's common to believe that things won't get worse, though they often do.
- You may want the hazing to stop, but don't want to get the group in trouble.
- You may want to leave, but fear the consequences or feel like you've invested too much already to walk away.
- Self-blame can occur and is fueled by hazers who tell new members that they will let others down if they leave or tell anyone what is going on.
Please seek out help and report the incident. For more information about what an individual can do, please see the resources put together by Duke University.
Access Medical/Counseling Services:
Student Health and Counseling (SHAC)
505.277.3136 (24-hr number)
Counseling, crisis intervention and medical services for eligible students.
Campus Law Enforcement:
UNMPD (University of New Mexico Police Department)
505.277.2241 (24-hr number)
