House passes proposed “Anti-Hazing Act”

January 23, 2018

The House of Representatives on Tuesday has unanimously approved a bill 6573 seeking to declare hazing a criminal offense.

The proposed “Anti-Hazing Act” seeks to prohibit hazing; regulate other forms of initiation rites of fraternities, sororities, and other organizations; and provide penalties for violation.

It seeks to repeal Republic Act No. 8049 which only regulates hazing in initiation rites in fraternities, sororities and other organizations.

The bill defines hazing as “An intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual, that the person knew or should have known would endanger the physical health or safety of the individual, and that is done for purposes of, but not limited to pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participation in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization.”

The act of hazing includes pressuring or coercing the individual into violating the law, any brutality of a physical nature, such as, whipping, beating, striking, branding, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity, unnecessary prolonged exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or other forced physical activity that subjects the individual to unnecessary risk or harm or that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual.

It also includes any activity that would subject the individual to psychological harm or extreme mental stress, such as, sleep deprivation, forced confinement in a small space, forced exclusion from social contact, conduct that would result in extreme embarrassment or other activity that would adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.

The bill prohibits all forms of hazing at whatever stage of the initiation rite or practice. Fraternities, sororities and organizations not based in school such as those that are community-based organizations are also covered by the prohibition.

While the bill bans hazing, it, however allows initiation rites or practices that do not inflict direct physical and psychological harm or injury to the recruit or neophyte as long as these are properly monitored and done under strict regulations by proper authorities.

The head of the school or an authorized representative must assign at least two representatives of the school to be present during the initiation rites. They shall see to it that no hazing is conducted during the initiation rites. DMS