Frat Suspended After Graphic Hazing Video Released: Pledges Forced to Give Strippers Oral Sex
A graphic video that seems to show a disturbing hazing ritual has gotten the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity suspended from Indiana University. The 29-second clip, which you can watch (via Gawker) at this link — again, it's pretty graphic — looks like it captures a shirtless man dressed only in boxer shorts performing oral sex on a woman as a roomful of other men, both shirtless and fully clothed, cheer the scene on.
According to Total Frat Move, which first posted about the video after receiving a tip, this is part of the Alpha Tau Omega hazing process at Indiana University:
[Fraternity redacted] at Indiana university leaked a video by accident that involved them hazing their pledges by making them give strippers oral sex for extended periods of time. The video has gone viral and is circulating around IU’s campus as well as other campuses in the midwest region. Last year the [fraternity redacted] president was commended by the Indiana Daily Student newspaper for his exceptional leadership and hard work. Seems like it was all a cover.
Numerous people on Twitter noted that if the video does indeed show a pledge being forced or pressured to perform the act, it raises questions about sexual abuse and consent.
On the heels of the clip’s release, Indiana University sent out a tweet stating the fraternity has been suspended, for now at least. “Our campus is committed to a culture of care,” the tweet reads. “Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) is suspended immediately, pending investigation into hazing allegations.”
TheWashington Post notes that the IU chapter of ATO has run into trouble before. In 2010, two-third’s of the frats members were ejected because of hazing violations involving alcohol.
Wynn Smiley, CEO of the fraternity, released a statement this morning about the video and the next steps the organization will be taking:
“Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity has suspended all operations of the Delta Alpha chapter at Indiana University as we begin our investigation. We are working with the University. The video is highly offensive and is antithetical to the values of Alpha Tau Omega. If confirmed, swift disciplinary action will be taken. The men who were a part of such a vulgar incident do not represent the fraternity and damage the fraternity’s name for thousands of ATO undergraduates and alumni across the country.”
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(h/t Gawker)
