Hazing can leave a serious psychological impact on its victims,
said Vicki Hays, associate director for Counseling and
Psychological Services.
“As a counselor, I have seen and talked with people who
have had a negative emotional or psychological reaction with hazing
that’s happened to them or even to someone else,” Hays
said.
Last week, the University began investigating allegations into
such hazing activities against seven chapters of the Greek
community.
Hays said although reactions vary based on the victim, a person
might feel fear — especially that a similar situation may
happen again.
Other reactions can include anger, confusion and both physical
and emotional pain.
Reactions are often affected by a victim’s history, such
as if the person has experienced hazing or some form of abuse in
the past, Hays added.
One hazing incident in the Greek community allegedly involved
clothes being ripped off intoxicated sorority pledges, who were
then led into a room with intoxicated members of a
fraternity’s pledge class where there may have been
widespread sexual activity.
Kelly Cichy, director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and
Awareness Center, said the incident “could definitely be
sexual assault if any of the individuals are subjected to unwanted
sexual contact (such as fondling) or sexual penetration.”
LSA sophomore Bryce Bach, who is head of the Greek
community’s hazing task force, said the group is currently
investigating the alleged Rush abuses.
“All five cases should be closed by this time next week.
That’s the goal,” Bach said.
The University and city police are also investigating the
reports.
Hays said sometimes victims can have delayed reactions to
hazing. Immediately following the incident, victims might think
they were not affected by the incident, or they might not want to
cause problems for their organization by reporting it, she
added.
Hays said sometimes people are also psychologically impacted by
something that happens to another person, especially a close friend
or family member who endured hazing.For example, watching other
pledges be hazed could impact members of a fraternity or
sorority.
“Sometimes it’s the indirect effects that can bring
people in to counseling services,” Hays added.
CAPS and SAPAC are free, confidential services for all
University students.
“We can talk with a student about what they are feeling
and experiencing and how we can best meet their individual needs
for support and assistance,” Cichy said.
According to the Michigan Public Health Code, niether CAPS nor
SAPAC can release specific case information without the
victim’s permission.