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 New Hampshire, hazing is addressed under RSA 631:7, which defines hazing as any act directed toward a student, or any coercion or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in an act, when such act is likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any student. The law prohibits any form of hazing at educational institutions and applies to acts conducted on or off campus. Hazing is considered a misdemeanor offense if it does not result in serious bodily injury. If serious bodily injury occurs, the act may be elevated to a felony. Additionally, New Hampshire law requires educational institutions to adopt policies prohibiting hazing and to provide enforcement measures. These institutions must also inform students and staff about the policy and the penalties for violating it. The state takes hazing seriously, and individuals or organizations found in violation of hazing laws may face criminal charges as well as disciplinary actions from the educational institution.