ENC 3331 Draft of Proposal Hazing

Questions
What defines domestic violence? o What define hazing? Are there many cases of domestic violence in the UCF area? What sorts of social groups are more apt to experience this action? o Would the issue of hazing be considered domestic violence? The issue of hazing in Greek Life at UCF. Why do the victims come back to the abuser? o Why do they stay with them? o Why do pledges stay with the fraternity/ sorority after being hazed? Which gender is most likely to be the abuser? o The one abused? o Which groups of the Greek Community (frats or sororities) are most likely to have issues with hazing? How can society help? o What did UCF do to help resolve the issue of hazing? o What continuing actions is UCF taking to keep hazing out of Greek Life?/

Recently the Greek life at UCF ran into the issue of hazing. As I did some brief research on what specified domestic violence, I found many similarities between it and hazing. Thousands of UCF students were distraught when Greek life was suspended on the issue of hazing however, since domestic violence and hazing have many similar characteristics I feel that UCF took proper actions before it escalated any further. One of the major similarities that I found between domestic violence and hazing is the abused generally stays with the abuser. Why does this happen? Are they scared to be alone? Are they scared no one else will accept them? I hope to answer these questions with the help of online research and the advice of the counselors at victim services.

Why does this research matter?

Hazing is a major issue among the Greek life at colleges around the nation. When you are part of a fraternity or sorority you are suppose to be making friendships and relationships that last a life time. These people are suppose to love and care about each other; they shouldnt be abusing each other. Sadly, the norm within these social circles makes it ok for these actions to take place. People partake in actions that may harm them or others so they can be accepted. Many victims of domestic violence hide the fact that they were abused. This aspect is also similar to those who are victims of hazing. In both situations the victim is scared an embarrassed to seek help. They think that if they let it go and not tell anyone the abuse will stop. However, it is the complete opposite; the abuse wont stop until the abuser is stopped. Spreading the word and making the signs of domestic violence more prevalent in the community can reduce those who are affected by domestic violence drastically.

Steps to See Results

In order for steps to be taken to put an end to domestic violence the community needs to be educated on what it is and how to identify it. I plan on doing research to see how far back in history records of domestic violence go. Once the history portion of my paper is complete I plan on researching the warning signs of a possible domestic violence dispute and how to recognize if you are in an unhealthy relationship. I would like to conduct an interview with a counselor at Victims Services on the UCF campus to get their advice on how to recognize these signs and how they suggests a person gets out of a domestic abuse situation. Also, I would like to address the issue of hazing at UCF to the counselor. Did they have any students come into their office claiming to be victims of hazing? How were they affected?

By conducting this research I will be able to form my solution for domestic violence. Without having conducted the research yet I cannot state exact solutions to the issue but I do know how I can spread the word about domestic violence. I do think that shows on television that talks about domestic violence is a good idea for our society to see; however, I do not think it is a good idea to show the violence in action. Something I feel that would be more powerful to young people than showing the violence on television would be having talk shows with victims who are willing to talk about their experience and share their stories. Yes, hosts like Dr. Oz and the Today show have specials that are dedicated to this issue but, not many young people watch the show. If UCF made a video that played on one of the televisions in the Union it would make more of an impact than any famous talk show host could. Having flyers with the statistics and the warning signs of domestic violence that could be hung around campus would also make a huge impact. Also, having a group table at marketplace Wednesday outside of the union with promotional items and brochures with information will help spread the word on recognizing the signs.

Analysis of Problem and Plan of Action

Hazing

Hazing has been an issue at many schools since the late 1990s. Recently, the Greek life at UCF ran into this issue. First, I would like to define hazing the word hazing to get a clearer understanding of the topic. As defined by the University of Virginias Police Department hazing is a broad term that encompasses an action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties, demean, degrade or disgrace any person regardless of location, intent or consent of participants. Also, it is any action or situation which intentionally or unintentionally endangers a student for admissions into or affiliation with any student organization. Any harmful activity that a student is partaking in order to be accepted by his/her peers are considered the act of hazing. As the years go on, and Greek life becomes more popular and involved, I would have to say that this act is becoming worse. The need to fit in has caused students to go outside of their comfort zone and do something that they may be pressured into doing (these are generalized statements, not directed towards any specific aspect of Greek life). I feel like the vision that people have of the world today is skewed. We look at things that are bad for us like drinking and doing drugs and we think that it is the cool thing to do. When influential freshman are introduced to a group of individuals who are partaking in these actions they feel like they also have to do this in order to belong. I want to make people realized that they dont. People need to realize that they are their own individual person. To help them realize this I would like to set up a peer mentoring group that can help distraught students find their way. Students who have been impacted by hazing and who are willing to tell their story would have a bigger impact on students than them watching a video. These students who partake in this student mentoring program can either tell their story or act out

a skit explain the effects and the aftereffects of hazing. The students who are active in Greek life or who would like to become involved in Greek life would have to attend this presentation on hazing in order to be affiliated with the Greek community. Also in the Greek community, pledges have to read, study, and take a test on a pledge book. In this book there should be an added section on what qualifies hazing and what consequences would come from violating the no hazing rule. The students wishing to be initiated into Greek life also have to take and pass a test on the material read in the book. I think that by adding a section on the test about hazing on the test that included material from the book and from the presentation students will pay better attention to these resources. Students will also be more apt to recognize the signs of hazing and know when there is a problem.