Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 21-25, 2026, as Hazing Prevention Week in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1412

BY: M. of A. Rules (DeStefano)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        September 21-25, 2026, as Hazing Prevention Week  in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS, Hazing is a behavior that often occurs in environments with
imbalanced  power dynamics and is intended to screen individuals, foster
bonds, or establish standing within organizations, but in doing  so,  it
places  individuals  at  significant  risk  of physical and/or emotional
harm,  often  contradicting  the  stated  mission  or  purpose  of   the
organization; and

  WHEREAS,  Hazing  can  take many forms and occurs in a wide range of
settings,   including   high   schools,   colleges,   athletic    teams,
fraternities, sororities, clubs, and other organizations; and

  WHEREAS,  An  estimated  1.5 million high school students experience
hazing each year, and nearly half (47%) of students  arrive  at  college
having already been subjected to hazing; and

  WHEREAS, A staggering 74% of student-athletes report experiencing at
least  one  form  of  hazing  while  in  college, with the most commonly
reported activity being participation in  drinking  games,  which  poses
additional health and safety risks; and

  WHEREAS,   55%   of   college  students  involved  in  fraternities,
sororities, athletic  teams,  and  other  student  organizations  report
having  experienced hazing, yet only 1 in 10 of those students recognize
or label the behavior as hazing; and

  WHEREAS, 71% of students who witnessed hazing reported that  alcohol
was involved, further exacerbating the potential for harm; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Hazing  Prevention  Network,  a  national  leader  in
education and advocacy, organizes National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW)
each  year  during  the  last  full  week  of   September,   encouraging
communities,  institutions,  organizations,  and  individuals across the
country to take collective and intentional action to raise awareness and
promote education to prevent hazing; and

  WHEREAS, The purpose of NHPW is to provide  a  designated  time  for
students,  educators,  coaches, administrators, and community members to
engage in meaningful dialogue, reflection, and  programming  focused  on
the harms of hazing and strategies for prevention; and

  WHEREAS,  The  State of New York recognizes the need to foster safe,
inclusive, and supportive environments for all students and  individuals
participating  in  organizations  of  every  kind  and  is  committed to
supporting awareness efforts that protect health, well-being, and  human
dignity; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 21-25, 2026,  as
Hazing Prevention Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the

observance  of  National  Hazing  Prevention  Week,  and  to commend the
efforts of the Hazing Prevention Network and all those  working  to  end
hazing  through education, advocacy, and community engagement; and be it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York; and the Hazing Prevention Network.