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 Washington State, hazing is addressed under RCW 28B.10.901 and RCW 28B.10.902. These statutes define hazing as any method of initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm to any student or other person attending any school, college, or university in Washington. Hazing is prohibited, and the law makes it clear that consent of the victim is not a defense. Violations of the hazing statutes can result in misdemeanor charges, which carry potential penalties including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, educational institutions in Washington are required to adopt rules for the enforcement of this prohibition against hazing and are directed to provide educational programming on hazing prevention. Schools often have their own policies that may impose additional sanctions on individuals or organizations that engage in hazing.