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 Kentucky, hazing is addressed under KRS § 164.375, which defines hazing as any action or situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization. This includes, but is not limited to, the activities you've described such as servitude, forced consumption of alcohol or drugs, engaging in embarrassing acts, sleep deprivation, and isolation from social contacts. Kentucky law considers hazing that does not result in serious physical injury a violation as a Class B misdemeanor. However, if hazing results in serious physical injury or death, it can be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor or a Class D felony, respectively. Educational institutions in Kentucky typically have their own policies that prohibit hazing, and these policies often provide for disciplinary measures that can include suspension or expulsion. It's important for individuals and organizations to understand that justifying hazing as a tradition or rite of passage does not exempt them from legal consequences.