What is hazing?

Verified 10 September 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

If a person leads you to suffer or commit humiliating or degrading acts in school, sports or socio-educational settings, then you are a victim of hazing. This is an offense punishable by law. Here is useful information to deal with a hazing situation.

If a person leads you to suffer or commit humiliating or degrading acts, you are then victim of hazing.

This is the case, for example, if a person makes you consume alcohol excessively even if you consent.

The facts must take place during a demonstration or a meeting related to the environment school, sporting or socio-educational.

So you can be victim or guilty of hazing if you are a pupil or student of schools and institutions of first, second, higher and special education.

You are also concerned if you participate in a teaching, sports or socio-educational activity in a public or private organization.

The legal persons (e.g. sports club) may also be held liable.

The situation differs depending on whether you are a victim or witness of hazing:

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Victim

Prosecution

You must lodge a complaint at the police station or gendarmerie of your choice.

You can also bring a civil action against you.

If you are a minor, you must be accompanied by your legal representative (parent, guardian, ad hoc administrator...) to file a complaint and bring a civil action against you.

FYI  

You have 6 years, after the fact, to file a complaint.

Disciplinary proceedings

You must also inform the administrative authority without delay of the establishment.

The officials of the establishment will have to refer the matter to the public prosecutor and disciplinary proceedings against perpetrators and personnel who contributed to hazing.

Accompaniment of the victim

You can prevent a person de your establishment. You can, for example, alert a teacher, a supervisor.

You can also talk to your parents or someone in your family.

You can also get closer to a specialized association in helping victims of hazing. You will get advice and support to deal with the situation.

In particular, you can contact the national committee against hazing.

Witness

You must prevent a person at your institution. You can, for example, alert the head teacher, a teacher, a supervisor.

You can also get closer to a specialized association in helping victims of hazing. You will get advice and support to deal with the situation.

In particular, you can contact the national committee against hazing.

Hazing is a offense. He is punished with 6 months imprisonment and €7,500 of fine. These sentences are doubled if the victim is a particularly vulnerable person.

FYI  

Acts of violence, threats or sexual assault are offenses other than hazing. They are punished by fines or imprisonment of up to 10 years.

The legal person convicted faces a fine of €37,500 and the closure of the premises used for hazing.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • 116 006 - Victim Assistance Number

    This service allows victims of infringements (excluding damage to property on the internet) to be listened to and referred to a victim support association or a specialized service. It is accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.

    In metropolitan France

    116,006

    Free call

    Service available every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm.

    Outside metropolitan France (or from the foreigner)

    + 33 (0)1 80 52 33 76

    Free call

    Service reachable every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm (Paris time).

    By email

    By email: victimes@116006.fr