[Student Reporters] Warning Against Hazing Incidents

Jay Kim <12th, Granada Hills Charter High School>

The Los Angeles Unified School District [LAUSD] warned all high school coaches of hazing incidents occurring within sports teams through a circulated email in early October.

Hazing which is notoriously known as various rituals and other activities involving sexual harassment physical assault or battery and other criminal crimes occurs frequently in college Greek organizations gangs clubs and sports teams. A ritual meant to initiate new members into a group hazing can lead to severe consequences.

"When I think of hazing it reminds me of all the horror stories I hear about college students having to do humiliating tasks to be accepted into a fraternity or sorority" senior Pauline Lee Granada Hills Charter High school said. "I know it happens a lot in sports teams too but I think it's a brutal and cruel way to welcome someone or not welcome someone."

Hazing has been known to come in all sorts of different forms. Ranging from traumatic injuries to sexual assault hazing is common within the adult world but lately it has been publicized for several occurrences within high school sports teams.

After the incident among Woodland Hills Taft volleyball players where students were punished and school staff temporarily reassigned to different positions LAUSD has been censoring and warning high school coaches about the much needed prevention of these events.

"Hazing is horrible. I can't even believe it happens in high schools" senior Tim Lee from Granada Hills Charter high school said. "Sports teams are based on unity. How do they expect to feel comfortable around each other and rely on one another when events like these occur?"

Coaches have been reminded of their responsibility to prevent such incidents and their responsibility to report any events should they happen through the email according to the Los Angeles Times. High school coaches should never allow such acts to occur nor should they in any way condone them.

"Authority figures should always be the ones preventing them. Or at least be responsible and report them so proper consequences can be implemented" James Kong a junior from Granada Hills Charter high school said. "It's not something that should be taken as a joke or just kid's play."