Nationally, over 250 lives have been lost as a result of hazing. In South Carolina, instances of hazing have only increased as the years go on. Change, education, and reform to the expectations and accountability placed on the legal and education systems through the state iis needed now more than ever. 

The South Carolina Student Hazing Advocacy Coalition (SCHAC), spearheaded by students from Clemson University, Furman University, and the University of South Carolina, seeks to make changes to the South Carolina hazing laws as well as education and reform in regard to hazing prevention to all groups in middle schools, high schools, and universities, not just Fraternity and Sorority Life. 

Currently, hazing laws in South Carolina are limited. Any act of hazing, regardless of severity, results in a misdemeanor for the contributing parties with "a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed twelve months, or both." More needs to be done. 

The South Carolina Student Hazing Advocacy Coalition urges the South Carolina Legislature to modify this law. SCSHAC asks for hazing, when it results in serious bodily injury or death of one or more individuals, to be deemed a felony for the parties involved. With this in mind, SCSHAC calls for the South Carolina Legislature to enforce education and reform in all middle schools, high schools, and universities. Hazing is not only a college issue, or a Fraternity & Sorority Life issue. It occurs within organizations at all levels, of all ages. Change is needed now. 

To read more about Anti-Hazing Policies in South Carolina, please visit the attached link: https://stophazing.org/policy/state-laws/south-carolina/ 

To learn more about hazing statistics, data, and facts, please visit the attached link:

https://stophazing.org/issue/hazing-statistics/ 

We would like to thank Mrs. Cindy Hipps, mother of Tucker Hipps, for her involvement with this petition to enact change for the safety and their well-being of ALL students experiencing education in the state of South Carolina. We support her efforts as she works to pass a bill about hazing prevention and education. As you sign this petition, please pass it along and encourage others to sign as well. Use your personal networks (family, friends, etc) as well as social media platforms to share this information and encourage as many students in South Carolina to join us in this call for action. 
Finally, we would like to dedicate this petition to those who have lost their lives to hazing, to those traumatized by the impacts of hazing that continue to impact them after the initial experience, and, most importantly, to the loved ones impacted by acts of hazing that resulted in harm or loss of life. We stand with you.

You can help by contacting the SC State Legislation with your support of the bills filed recently S890 and H4794.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/4794.htm

2021-2022 Bill 890 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 6, 2021) - South Carolina Legislature Online (scstatehouse.gov) 

South Carolina Legislature Online - Bill Search by Bill Number (scstatehouse.gov)

Contact legislators and ask for support of this bill

South Carolina Legislature Online - Send Message (scstatehouse.gov)