When people think of hazing, they typically don't associate it with high school students. The media has focused so much on hazing in colleges and universities that it's easy to overlook the fact that it also happens in high schools. However, high schools take hazing seriously and have strict consequences for those involved.
In Connecticut, schools act swiftly to punish students accused of hazing. Despite having policies and laws against hazing, bullying, and harassment that protect the rights of accused students, high schools deal with incidents quickly to avoid negative publicity. No school wants to be seen as allowing harm or humiliation to its students.
If your child is accused of hazing at a high school in Connecticut, they may not receive a fair chance to defend themselves. At the Lento Law Firm, we understand how frustrating this can be, and we are here to help. Our team represents students in disciplinary cases and will advocate for your child's right to a fair process. For more information, please contact us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online consultation form, and we will get in touch with you.
Hazing Laws in Connecticut
In Connecticut, hazing is against the law. The law defines hazing as “any action which recklessly or intentionally endangers the health or safety of a person for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student organization.” It specifies that a “student organization” is any organized and operating at a college, university, or other institution of higher education. Anyone found guilty of hazing can be fined up to $1,000.
The law also lists examples of hazing, but this list is not definitive:
- Requiring indecent exposure of the body
- Requiring any activity that would subject the person to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation or extended isolation from social contact
- Confinement of the person to unreasonably small, unventilated, unsanitary, or unlighted areas
- Any assault upon the person
- Requiring the ingestion of any substance or any other physical activity which could adversely affect the health or safety of the individual
Although state law doesn't mention hazing at the high school level, many schools in Connecticut still use the law as inspiration for their policies. They tend to define hazing the same way and consider it a serious offense.
Connecticut's Anti-Bullying Law
Connecticut has an anti-bullying law requiring all public school districts to develop and implement a bullying policy. It also defines “bullying” as “an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive, which causes physical or emotional harm to an individual, places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or infringes on the rights or opportunities of an individual at school.” It's also “a written, oral or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.”
Most school boards in Connecticut consider hazing a form of bullying or harassment and, therefore, include it as part of their bullying policies.
School boards must prohibit bullying in the following places and the following ways:
- On school grounds
- At a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function, or program, whether on or off school grounds
- At a school bus stop
- On a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a local or regional board of education
- Through the use of an electronic mobile device owned, leased, or used by the school board
The school board can also prohibit bullying outside of the school setting if the bullying creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom the bullying was directed. Bullying outside of school is also not permitted if it infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school.
Each local and regional board of education must also have:
- A process for students to report bullying anonymously
- A safe school climate specialist who receives and investigates bullying reports
- Policies about bullying in the student code of conduct
- A process for notifying parents and guardians of students who commit any verified acts of bullying
- A meeting with the parents or guardians of a student who's committed a verified act of bullying to discuss measures the school is taking
- A requirement for school principals or principal designees to notify law enforcement if bullying constitutes criminal conduct
How Connecticut High Schools Handle Hazing Accusations
Public high schools in Connecticut are required to have a bullying policy, but state law doesn't require a hazing policy. However, most schools either treat hazing as a type of bullying or have created their own hazing disciplinary policy anyway. These policies are usually created by school boards, and all schools in the district are required to follow them.
Bridgeport Public Schools, for example, has a hazing policy in its Student Handbook. Hazing is defined as “any form or type of physical, verbal, and/or emotional mistreatment, abuse, and/or harassment of a student in connection with a student's participation in or membership of an interscholastic athletic team or in any school-sponsored activity and/or forcing, coercing or intimidating any student to participate in any illegal or inappropriate activities in connection with the student's participation or membership in the foregoing.” For behavior to be considered hazing at Bridgeport Public Schools, it must be connected with an extra-curricular activity. Hazing is considered a Type III offense, meaning it's punishable by ten days of out-of-school suspension.
The New Haven Public Schools Unified Code of Conduct also mentions hazing. It includes examples such as:
- Pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law
- Any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, or exposure to the elements
- Forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance
- Forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student
- Any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, or forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment
The district considers hazing a major disruptive or harmful behavior that could result in a referral to an outside agency such as social services, mental health agencies, or even the police department as a last resort. Parents also have to be notified when students are accused of hazing.
The responses or penalties that schools are allowed to seek for hazing include:
- Restorative conferencing that includes the student's guardian
- Referral to a school-based restorative review board
- Referral to New Haven Juvenile Review Board
- Assignment to an alternative educational program
- Restitution
- Community service
- Suspension (in-school or out-of-school)
- Recommendation for expulsion
Disciplinary Procedures for Hazing at Connecticut High Schools
Hazing is a serious offense, so most high schools have a formal process for handling complaints. Typically, when schools want to impose more severe penalties, such as out-of-school suspension, they must follow certain procedural safeguards to ensure the accused student is given a fair disciplinary process. For more minor punishments, like detention, schools may not be bound by these formal procedures and can impose the penalty.
Reporting
Most schools have a process for reporting hazing, which involves either the school principal, school safe climate coordinator, or Title IX coordinator. It's usually possible for reporters to remain anonymous if they wish. While it may help protect the privacy of the accuser, allowing anonymous reports of hazing or bullying can also backfire. Students may be falsely accused by a peer who's trying to antagonize them or out of retaliation for another incident. Having trouble with classmates, including misunderstandings, can lead to accusations that may not be completely true. Once the hazing report is made, the school must take the complaint seriously and investigate it properly—putting the accused child through undue stress and anxiety.
Investigation
For serious complaints such as hazing, schools usually conduct an investigation before taking action. Bridgeport Public Schools requires an investigation for all complaints of hazing. The hazing policy doesn't specify which school officials must conduct this investigation, but it's usually a school principal or their designee. The investigation will probably involve the school official speaking to the accused student and presenting formal charges of hazing. The student should have the opportunity to tell their side of the story at this meeting. Some schools end the process here, allowing the principal to determine the student's punishment and contact their parent or guardian.
Expulsion and Suspension Procedures
In Waterbury Public Schools, students cannot be suspended without having an informal hearing with the principal. At this meeting, the principal will officially state to the student what violations they're accused of and the student must have the chance to refute the charges. Then, the principal decides which disciplinary action should be imposed, if any.
For expulsions, a principal must submit an expulsion request to the Waterbury Superintendent. The Superintendent completes an inquiry and if they believe the student should be expelled, sends the request to the Board of Education. The Board of Education conducts a formal hearing that students and their parents can attend, along with legal counsel to represent them. If the expulsion hearing results in the student being sent to an alternative educational program, parents can appeal the decision.
Hazing Accusations Have Long-Term Consequences
The consequences of being accused of hazing can negatively impact students, regardless of the outcome. It can result in being ostracized by peers and teachers and can create obstacles for college admissions and future employment opportunities. Additionally, losing financial aid can make tuition costs difficult to manage.
Accusations of hazing can have severe consequences for students' emotional and social well-being. Punishments such as being barred from extracurricular activities can further isolate them from their classmates. Even after graduation, the impact of hazing can hinder career prospects, especially in fields that require licensing.
This issue is a significant concern for high school students, as false allegations can stem from strained relationships or pressure to excel. While schools have a duty to address hazing, they must also handle the situation fairly and thoroughly, allowing accused students the chance to clear their names. If not, the long-term consequences for students can be dire.
How Our Student Defense Team Can Help
If your child is facing hazing accusations at their high school in Connecticut, you shouldn't try to handle the situation alone. The school's disciplinary procedures may not assume your child's innocence and may only require a minimal burden of proof to build a case against them. To improve the chances of a positive outcome, you should seek assistance from the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team.
Our firm is a valuable resource for students and their families in Connecticut because:
- We collect evidence and gather witness statements to support your defense.
- We help you prepare a response to the allegations and prepare for any hearings or meetings.
- We negotiate with the school's disciplinary authorities on your behalf.
- We uphold your right to appeal, even if it means pursuing further legal action.
The Lento Law Firm Team will stand by you and your child throughout the disciplinary process. We provide guidance and support as you navigate through a hazing accusation. We understand the stress this can cause for your family and will handle the legal aspects so you and your child can focus on daily life and schoolwork without the burden of defending against hazing allegations.
Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your information through our online form, and we will schedule a consultation with you.
