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 Illinois, hazing is explicitly prohibited and is considered a criminal offense under state law. The Illinois Hazing Act (720 ILCS 120/) defines hazing as any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off campus, that results in bodily harm, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated with an educational institution. The law makes it clear that consent to hazing is not a defense. Hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony, while hazing that does not result in death or great bodily harm is a Class A misdemeanor. Educational institutions in Illinois are also required to adopt policies to prevent hazing and may impose their own disciplinary actions against individuals or organizations that engage in hazing activities.