Hazing generally includes mistreatment of students or other persons (pledges or plebes) in a ritualistic or tradition-based way that must be endured by the prospective members to gain admission to a group, club, or organization. The members doing the hazing often attempt to justify these hazing practices by referring to them as a rite of passage or rationalizing that all current members had to endure it and new prospective members should as well.

Hazing can take many forms, including:

• Requiring victims to act as a personal servant to senior (older) group members

• Forcing victims to binge drink or consume large amounts of alcohol or drugs

• Requiring victims to engage in embarrassing acts, such as wearing a costume or sign around their neck in public

• Depriving victims of sleep, food, or the ability to use the restroom

• Prohibiting victims from associating with family, friends, or other persons

• Swearing or yelling insults at victims.

Most schools have policies against hazing and in many states hazing may be prosecuted as a criminal offense if it results in bodily injury.

In Alabama, hazing is addressed under Alabama Code Section 16-1-23, which defines hazing as any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. This includes, but is not limited to, forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or any other substance, as well as physical brutality such as whipping, beating, branding, or exposure to the elements. Hazing is prohibited in any form at educational institutions, and consent of the victim is not a defense. Violations of the anti-hazing statute can result in both criminal charges and disciplinary actions by the educational institution. Schools in Alabama are required to adopt policies to enforce this prohibition and to inform students and staff about the dangers of hazing. Criminal penalties for hazing can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the act and whether it resulted in serious bodily injury.