Anti-hazing advocate Carol King delivered an emotional presentation on Nov. 2 on the dangers of hazing and the importance of speaking up.
King shared the story of how she lost her son, Justin, just three weeks into his freshman year at Bloomsburg University.
She described Justin as a “happy and outgoing young man who would always help out his teammates and friends.”
“Justin went to a fraternity party, and he was told to come alone,” King said.
The next morning, he was found at the bottom of a cliff and pronounced dead at the scene. Officials later discovered that his blood-alcohol-level was more than three times the legal limit.
King said that hazing can start with harmless activities, but that it can quickly escalate into dangerous, life-threatening situations. Some of these dangerous situations include sleep deprivation, alcohol poisoning and physical harm.
“The point is that you’re playing games with someone’s life by doing these things,” said King. “It only takes one second – one person – to push too far.
“One bad decision and someone can be seriously harmed. Or die.”
King emphasizes the importance of speaking up and getting help when someone is in danger.
“If someone is in immediate danger or showing signs of distress, please call 911. Help them,” she said. “You would want them to do it for you.”
Students found King’s presentation impactful.
“As a freshman looking into joining Greek life, I think this story shows that we shouldn’t have to put our lives at risk just to be accepted,” said Exercise Physiology major Addison Kelly.
“Speaking up can save somebody’s life.”
King doesn’t want anyone to go through what her family endured.
“I would love for you all to have a safe, happy and productive college life, and to have no incidents of hazing while you’re here,” she said.
