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 California, hazing is illegal and is addressed under California Penal Code 245.6. This law makes it a misdemeanor to engage in hazing that does not result in serious bodily injury, and a felony if the hazing results in death or serious bodily injury. Hazing is defined as any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body that is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student. The law applies to acts conducted on or off campus and recognizes that consent of the victim is not a defense. Educational institutions in California are also required to adopt and enforce policies against hazing. Additionally, the Matt's Law, named after a student who died as a result of a hazing incident, allows for felony prosecutions and civil suits against individuals and organizations involved in hazing rituals.