blog cover photo for the passage of the stop campus hazing act blog post

After more than a decade of concerted advocacy, research, and collaboration, we are thrilled to announce the passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act—a monumental step in the fight against hazing. This federal legislation, which amends the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act – renamed from ‘Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act’ – marks a new era of transparency, education, and prevention, empowering institutions and communities to take meaningful action against hazing.

This momentous achievement has been years in the making. At StopHazing, we’ve been honored to work alongside incredible partners like the DeVercelly family, whose son Gary Jr. tragically lost his life to hazing in 2007. In the wake of their loss, the DeVercellys began walking the halls of Congress in 2014, meeting with legislators to advocate for federal hazing prevention legislation, the Report and Education About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act that eventually served as a foundation for the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Also dating back to 2014, StopHazing’s Dr. Elizabeth Allan, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine and Principal Investigator of the landmark National Study of Student Hazing in 2008 provided critical subject matter expertise, including testimony in the U.S. Senate, Congressional briefings, and presentations sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, helping to lay the groundwork for this pivotal moment.

Over the last two Congressional sessions, the federal hazing prevention legislation gained traction thanks to an extraordinary collective effort. In the 118th Congressional session, the Stop Campus Hazing Act was introduced as a consensus bill, a merging of the REACH Act and the END ALL Hazing Act, to strengthen institutional accountability and enhance transparency, education, and prevention efforts. 

StopHazing worked tirelessly alongside the DeVercelly family, Clery Center, and other organizations and families impacted by hazing tragedies. It has truly taken a village with thousands of emails and calls, hundreds of hours of meetings and strategy sessions, countless revisions to legislative language, and miles traveled to advocate for change.  

A Public Health Approach to Hazing Prevention

As the leading research team focused on hazing and its prevention, we employ a public health lens guided by a “research-to-practice” approach. A practical tool, policy plays a crucial role in reshaping the behaviors, group environments, and organizational cultures that allow hazing to persist. As such, we have provided subject matter expertise and technical language guidance to legislative staffers, gathered input from higher education leaders, and collaborated with colleagues to refine the bill’s provisions.

What the Stop Campus Hazing Act Does

This historic legislation brings hazing prevention to the forefront by:

  • Including hazing incidents in Clery Act statistics: Institutions must now report hazing incidents in their annual security reports, increasing transparency and accountability.
  • Requiring hazing incident transparency reports: Institutions must publish comprehensive reports to help students and families make informed decisions about campus safety.
  • Mandating research-based hazing education: Stakeholders—including students, staff, coaches, and advisors—will receive research-based education and tools to identify, prevent, and respond to hazing.

A New Chapter in Hazing Prevention

The passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act represents more than a policy win—it’s a cultural shift. This legislation amplifies the visibility of hazing as a form of interpersonal violence and ensures institutions address it. 

We’re entering a new chapter where hazing prevention is no longer an afterthought but a priority. Together, we can create safer campus experiences and foster group environments where respect, accountability, and transparency are the norm. Collaboration will continue to be essential to ensure campus professionals and leaders have the tools and knowledge needed to prevent hazing. 

StopHazing’s research and research-based resources will support campus professionals, leaders, and the public with understanding the problem of hazing, how to educate about it, and develop impactful strategies for preventing it. Clery Center’s trainings, technical assistance, and support will continue to be a go-to source for stakeholders to implement the Clery Act effectively. HazingInfo.org, a new database developed to compile transparency reports, policies and laws, and forthcoming Clery hazing data, will be a vital resource for the public to access information quickly. HazingInfo.org will continue to grow its service as a clearinghouse for the public to track campus hazing violations nationwide.

StopHazing is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this historic achievement. From the families who turned their grief into action to the policymakers, researchers, and advocates who joined us on this journey—this victory belongs to all of us.

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to advancing hazing prevention through education, research, and collaboration. There’s more work to do, and we’re ready for the road ahead. 

Together, we will stand up to hazing and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive community.

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Questions or interview requests contact meredith@stophazing.org.