Gangs Thugs and Criminal Activity at College Fraternities
After reading through the National Institute of Justice definition of a gang, it is more convincing than ever that many college fraternities fall into this category. After all, if you put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig. Fraternity and Sorority hazings, hell night activities, ritualistic abuse and intimidation too frequently end in severe injury, sexual assault and even death.
It is a crime to beat someone.
Is it just a little fun with a paddle, or is it assault and battery? It is clearly the intent of fraternal hazing to intimidate and harm its pledges with a paddle. Is a paddle the same as a club? A club is defined as a heavy stick, a bludgeon or a cudgel. What if a street gang member stood in front of another person and hit them repeatedly with a heavy stick. Is there a difference if the gang member is dressed in a nice sweater and designer jeans?
One incident of a sorority beating at a Tennessee sorority hazing sent a student to the hospital with a concussion, contusions and vaginal bleeding. The student claimed that the paddle left the imprint of the sorority name on her legs and knuckles.
Consent is not a defense in battery.
It is well known that sororities and fraternities have hazing and initiation rituals. When a student submits to the ritualistic abuse of some fraternities, it is inferred on some level by the pledge master that the victim has given consent. However, when the consent is obtained under duress, it is not defensible. Additionally, when it rises to the level of criminal assault and battery, it is also indefensible to use consent as permission to intentionally harm a person.
Rape and sexual assault at fraternity parties are crimes.
Forced drinking and drug use are not uncommon in hazing incidences. When alcohol consumption increases, the risk of rape and other sexual assault increases. The party culture of fraternities and sororities contribute to the incidence of sexual assault crimes. A study at North Carolina State University reports that 350 out of 10,000 female students on college campuses will be raped each year. In the article “Fraternity and Collegiate Rape Culture,” (Boswell & Spade), high risk fraternity houses were compared with high risk bars. The article suggests that students living in houses identified as high risk are more sexually aggressive and consume higher doses of alcohol.
Most states have anti-hazing laws. Some jurisdictions consider hazing a misdemeanor while others consider it a felony. The penalties and convictions of fraternity and sorority members for crimes committed during hazing incidences is perceived as having less consequence than those committed on the street.
Author Bio:
Roxanne Porter is a freelancer & a regular contributor for NannyJobs.org. She helps in providing knowledge about nanny services & love writing on nanny related articles. She helps in giving a fair knowledge about nanny Jobs to the community. You can be in touch with her at “r.poter08ATgmail.com”.
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