RMC Duntroon since almost its inception and to date, has suffered an Institutional Hazing Culture. As such, Duntroon deserves to be closed down permanently. Better, it ought to become an International Museum of Bastardisation.
In comparison, Charles Sturt University in New South Wales on its website describes hazing, calls it out and prohibits it. Further, Charles Sturt University proactively has developed policies to govern student behaviour and to address such behaviour in the following policies to help shape this vision are available for everyone to know and understand:
- Student Charter
- Student Misconduct Rule 2020
- Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy
- Complaints Management Policy
Charles Sturt University:
‘Hazing‘ is any activity expected of someone to join a group (or maintain status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.
In the past, hazing practices were typically considered harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in university settings.
However, hazing can be experienced by people of all genders in school groups, university organisations, athletic teams, and other social and professional organisations. Hazing is a complex social problem that is shaped by power dynamics operating in a group and within a particular cultural context.
Hazing activities are generally considered to be physically abusive, hazardous, and/or sexually violating. The specific behaviours or activities within these categories vary widely among participants, groups, and settings.
What is hazing?
While alcohol use is common in many types of hazing, other examples of typical hazing practices include:
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- personal servitude
- sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene
- yelling, swearing and insulting new members / first years
- being forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire, including coercing or forcing new members to engage in public nudity
- consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one’s skin
- brandings
- physical beatings
- coerced binge drinking and drinking games
- sexual simulation and sexual assault.
It is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviours because many are context-specific.
The following are some examples of hazing divided into three categories: Subtle, Harassment, and Violent.
Subtle Hazing:
Subtle hazing includes behaviours that emphasise a power imbalance between new members / first years and other members of the group or team. They are termed “subtle hazing” because these types of hazing are often taken for granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless.
Subtle hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members / first years on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New members / first years often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the group or team. (Some types of subtle hazing may also be considered harassment hazing).
Examples include:
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- deception
- assigning demerits
- silence periods with implied threats for violation
- deprivation of privileges granted to other members
- requiring new members / first years to perform duties not assigned to other members
- socially isolating new members / first years
- line-ups and drills or tests on meaningless information
- name calling
- requiring new members / first years to refer to other members with titles (e.g. “Mr”, “Miss”) while they are identified with demeaning terms
- expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession.
Harassment Hazing:
Harassment hazing includes behaviours that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort to feel like part of the group. It confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members / first years. (Some types of harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing).
Some examples:
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- verbal abuse
- threats or implied threats
- asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire
- stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude or humiliating acts
- expecting new members / first years to perform personal service to other members such as cooking, cleaning, being a “slave”, etc
- sleep deprivation
- sexual simulations
- expecting new members / first years to be deprived of maintaining a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness.
- being expected to harass others.
Violent Hazing:
Behaviours that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or psychological harm.
Some examples:
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- forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption
- beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
- branding
- forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions
- expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
- public nudity
- expecting illegal activity
- bondage
- abductions / kidnappings
- exposure to cold weather or extreme heat without appropriate protection.
The impact of hazing
Hazing is often about power, control and establishing dominance. Hazing does not build community, in fact the opposite, it creates division, separates people into groups and does nothing to foster trust, unity or respect. The impact of hazing can be significant for everyone involved.
For the victim / survivor:
- Physical, emotional, and/or mental harm including anxiety, embarrassment, shame, depressed mood, risk of suicide
- Loss of sense of control and trust
- Avoidance of other social activities
- Decline in grades and participation in studies
- Loss of respect for and interest in being part of Charles Sturt University
- Illness or hospitalisation
- Additional effects on family and friends
- (Hoddle Street 1987, immediately post-RMC hazing)
For the hazer
- Feelings of shame and guilt
- Distorted sense of leadership
- Damage to personal reputation
- Risk of university misconduct, criminal or civil consequences
- Media scrutiny
- Potential rejection by prospective employers who become aware of the hazing activity
For the community or group
- Reinforces and condones this behaviour for continuing students
- Conflict between members of the group
- It may drive away new members
- Media scrutiny and damage to the reputation of the group
- Conflicts with alumni and other supporters of the University
- (Except in RMC Recruitment – hazing/bastardisation/initiations have been continually shown to be culturally covered up by antiquated ADF Brass).
SOURCE: Charles Sturt University, NSW, https://www.csu.edu.au/current-students/support/personal/hazing
Further Reading and References:
[1] Defence Information Visual Distribution Service (DIVDS), 13th May 2013, by SGT Michael Juneau, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, North Carolina, USA, (“This video production by Combat Camera, Marine Corps Service Support Schools, Camp Johnson, North Carolina”), https://www.dvidshub.net/video/364132/hazing
