March 8, 2012

What Acts Constitute Fraternity Hazing in the State of Florida?

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Students join fraternities and sororities at universities and colleges to be part of an organization to be part of campus life. From sports to academics to socials, the fraternity and sorority experience can be quite positive and beneficial for the students. Unfortunately, many chapters of various fraternities and sororities have traditions of hazing that have been in place for years. The tradition of hazing can be and is dangerous to the students. Many hazing incidents lead to serious personal injuries and even the deaths of students. Any act which aims to harm and / or humiliate a student can be deemed an act of hazing. When a student is hazed, the student and / or parents should review the university policies and procedures as well as the state laws on point. At times, law enforcement and / or university officials are contacted about hazing incidents. One way to stop or at least prevent the incidents of hazing is to report these acts and let the officials take steps to discipline or punish the wrongdoers.

The day and age of paddling should be over. The use of paddles should be banned. Paddling is often associated with corporal punishment in public and private schools. It is also associated to some extent with fraternity and sorority tradition. It was reported by the Gainesville Sun that members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity have been accused of hazing activities relating to paddling and thunderslap incidents. A police report was completed by the University of Florida Police Department. Charges have been filed against 10 fraternity members. See University of Florida - Alpha Phi Alpha - Paddling Incidents.

When a child / student is injured or harmed as a result of hazing or another incident, it is often times helpful to discuss the matter with a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer for advice, consultation, and legal representation. A Florida Personal Injury Lawyer can advise the student and / or parents about the rights of the student / child and the laws in place that allow for the pursuit and collection of compensation for personal injuries.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on School Injuries, Day Care Injuries, Damages / Compensation, and other topics. Get this book for free at The ABCs of Child Injury.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Hazing

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December 23, 2011

Dangers and Risks of Hazing in Florida Schools - What Is Florida's Hazing Statute?

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In Florida, children enrolled in elementary, middle, and high schools are at risks for hazing incidents. Even when a child enters and goes to college, a child is still at risks for injuries (both physical and psychological) from hazing related events and rituals.

When personal injuries result from hazing related activities, a Florida Child Injury Lawyer can represent the child in a claim or case against the school and, in some instances, the homeowner's insurance for other children involved in the bullying activities. The legal and insurance issues involving in hazing related personal injury cases can be extremely complicated. Because of this, it is often times helpful to have legal representation to enforce the rights of the child victim of bullying.

Florida enacted Section 1006.135, Florida Statutes in an effort to prevent or reduce the incidents of hazing. This Florida criminal statute makes certain hazing activities of third degree felony or a first degree misdemeanor depending on the facts of the case.

How is "Hazing" defined under Florida Law? Pursuant to Section 1006.135 (1), Florida Statutes, hazing is defined as "any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student . . . " and includes pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student, and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. "

Many people do not like the term "hazing" but prefer to use the term "tradition", "ritual", or "fun". Whatever label or name that is applied, there should be no mistaking bad conduct that results in physical or emotional injury or harm to a child. The death of Robert Champion brought to light the dangers and evils of hazing. Robert Champion was a member of the FAMU Marching Band which is an organization that is well known throughout the country. In prior years, the FAMU Marching Band was known for his music, style, and performances. Unfortunately, with the death of Robert Champion and accounts of other hazing incident, the FAMU Band is now known for something quite different than musical performances. What has been a tradition and ritual of sorts can and does cause serious personal injuries and, in some instances death. See Final Autopsy Report of Robert Champion Details Personal Injuries of College Student.

The book titled The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Ever Parent Should Know - has chapters on School Injuries, Day Care Center Injuries, Automobile Accidents, Damages / Compensation, Medical Bills / Medical Treatment, and other topics. You can receive a free copy of this book at The ABCs of Child Injury.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Hazing , Wrongful Death

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December 14, 2011

Efforts to Stop Hazing at FAMU - Too Little ... Too Late

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Mark Woods is a writer with the Jacksonville Times Union. Woods wrote an excellent and right on point editorial article titled - Message to End Hazing Way Too Late. By now, it is well known at FAMU and the rest of Florida that a band member died and the death is suspected to be related to hazing. Since the death of FAMU band member - Robert Champion - other reports and incidents have come to light in the press and media. However, it appears that the existence and knowledge of hazing in the FAMU band has been well known to band members, former band members, band officials, and, yes, the administrators at FAMU. What was done to stop the hazing? What enforcement actions were taken? How were the activities of the band monitored? Was the atmosphere and environment of hazing tolerated? As pointed out so astutely by Mark Woods in his article, the band played on even though there were reports and incidents of hazing. Rules are one thing . . . . enforcement of rules is quite another . . .
Being selected to a band, fraternity, or sports team should result from hard work and dedication. Being on the team should not be preconditioned by hazing type of activities by other teammates or members. There should be a zero tolerance to hazing as this will be the only way to end years of abuse and neglect of the student / child.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Child Safety , Crimes Against Children , Hazing

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December 13, 2011

Review of Anti-Hazing Rules Delayed - Investigation Into Alleged Acts of Hazing

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Following the recent death of Robert Champion and the recent reports of other hazing incidents, FAMU had plans to review the anti-Hazing rules in place for the university. This review has been postponed at this time. FAMU and investigators have their hands full investigating the circumstances surroundind the death of Robert Champion. Furthermore, investigators and university officials are also busy fielding other complaints and reports of hazing involving the FAMU Marching 100. Following the death of Robert Champion, it was reported by the Associated Press thatt four students were dismissed from FAMU but details were not released as the reasons or circumstances involving the dismissal of these FAMU students. See FAMU Postpones Review of Anti-Hazing Rules.

Hazing unfortunately had a tradition at FAMU. It is also seen at other college bands, teams, fraternities, and clubs. Hazing typically involving physical and mental abuse of a recruit or applicant. Good judgment is lacking in many acts of hazing and the hazing results in serious personal injury, mental anguish, and, in some cases, death.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Crimes Against Children , Education , Education Law , Hazing , School Safety

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December 9, 2011

Hazing Reports and Incidents at FAMU - Marching Band Great Music - "Not So Great Behavior"

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For years, the FAMU Marching Band enjoyed a reputation of performances filled with precision and wonderful music. Unfortunately, the famed FAMU Band Program is now getting press and publicity for something quite different - hazing. Since the death of Robert Champion, students, former students, and parents have stepped forward to recount incidents of hazing that resulted in both physical and emotional pain and suffering for the college student. Any form of hazing is unacceptable. In many instances, hazing is steeped in tradition, but, history and tradition do not justify abuse, neglect, and related harmful acts. See Hazing Reports and Incidents at FAMU.

When a child is injured due to abuse, neglect or hazing at a college, university, high school, middle school, elementary school, sports program, or day care center, it can and does cause long term problems for the child. It is also quite stressful for the parents trying their best to protect their children. Often times, school officials turned a blind eye to the bad conduct or otherwise fail to enforce policies and procedures in place to address and prevent acts of hazing.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Child Safety , Crimes Against Children , Hazing

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December 4, 2011

Hazing and FAMU - Tallahassee Police Investigating Report of Hazing Resulting in Personal Injuries to Bria Shante Hunter

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Following the death of drum major Robert Champion, additional reports and incidents of hazing by FAMU band members have been reported. The Florida A & M Marching 100 is well known for its performances and style. Unfortunately, the FAMU Marching Band is now getting notoriety for hazing. The Tallahassee Police Department is investigating a report of battery on Bria Shante Hunter - an 18 year old student. It was reported by Atlanta's WXIA-TV that Bria had suffered a fractured thigh bone and an injured knee. See Tallahassee Florida Police Investigate Another Case of Hazing.

Membership on teams and organizations like bands, football teams, clubs, and fraternities have formal requirements like grades, background checks, etc. . . There are also "informal" requirements that are built on tradition. These "informal" requirements often times come in the form of ritualistic and systematic acts of hazing. Whether the acts of hazing come in the form of humiliation, binge drinking, physical abuse, isolation or anything else - hazing can be and is harmful to the victim. Just because something is a "tradition" of sorts does not make it right. With respect to the FAMU Marching 100, it will be interesting to see the reports of hazing that come to light in the wake of the death of Robert Champion. Policies against hazing are one thing; however, policies without consistent enforcement and oversight are worthless.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Child Safety , Crimes Against Children , Hazing , Violent Crimes

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David Wolf

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