The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws & Justice in Victoria, Texas & Across the Lone Star State

Holding Fraternities, Sororities, and Universities Accountable for Campus Abuse

As a parent in Victoria, Crossroads, or the surrounding Gulf Coast region, sending your child to college is a milestone filled with pride and hope. You trust that the university you’ve chosen will provide a safe environment for learning and growth. But what happens when that trust is shattered by a call in the night—a call where your child is injured, humiliated, or worse, because of a dangerous tradition disguised as “brotherhood” or “sisterhood”?

Right now, in Harris County, we are actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. This isn’t a historical example; this is a current, high-stakes legal battle unfolding in our state. For families in Victoria, Wharton County, Matagorda County, and across the Coastal Bend, this case is a stark reminder: the hazing crisis is not a distant problem at “other schools.” It is a present and severe danger at universities where our local students enroll, from the University of Houston-Victoria to major hubs like Texas A&M, UT Austin, and beyond.

This guide is written specifically for you—the parents, grandparents, and families in Victoria and South Texas. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the specific laws that protect your child in Texas, and the legal pathways to accountability. If your family is facing this nightmare, you are not alone. We are here to help navigate this crisis with the experience, data-driven strategy, and unwavering advocacy your family deserves.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for any medical emergency.
  • Then call us directly at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance.
• In the First 48 Hours:
  • Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get a professional evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not be immediately apparent.
  • Preserve Digital Evidence: Take screenshots of ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), social media posts, and texts. Do not delete anything.
  • Document Physically: Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save any clothing or objects involved.
  • Write a Timeline: Record everything your child remembers—dates, times, locations, and names—while memories are fresh.
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
    • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
    • Post details about the incident on public social media.
• Contact Our Firm: Evidence disappears quickly. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation to protect your child’s rights and begin building a path to justice.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is no longer just about “pranks” or “rough initiations.” It is a calculated pattern of abuse that exploits power imbalances and uses psychological coercion. For Victoria families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing the warning signs.

The Legal Definition in Texas: Under Texas Education Code Chapter 37, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in an organization. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a legal defense.

Modern hazing often falls into three interconnected categories:

1. Psychological Coercion & Digital Control: Long before physical harm occurs, organizations establish control. This includes forced secrecy (“what happens here stays here”), mandatory 24/7 responsiveness in group chats, social isolation from non-members, sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings,” and assignments designed to humiliate or instill obedience.

2. Harassment & Endurance Rituals: This escalates to enforced dress codes, “pledge duties” like chauffeuring members at all hours, forced consumption of unpalatable foods (like excessive milk, raw onions, or hot sauce), and extreme, punitive calisthenics presented as “workouts.” The goal is to break down resistance through exhaustion and discomfort.

3. Violent & Life-Threatening Abuse: This is where hazing leads to hospitalization, permanent injury, or death. It includes:

   • Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, or being forced to finish a bottle of liquor.
   • Physical Assault: Paddling, beating, “tackle” rituals, brandings, or being restrained.
   • Dangerous Environmental Exposure: Being locked in cold rooms, left outside in extreme weather, or subjected to water torture (like the hose-spraying “similar to waterboarding” alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case).
   • Sexualized Violence: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and sexual assault.

The Victoria Connection: Your child does not have to be at a large, out-of-town university to be at risk. Hazing occurs in marching bands, athletic teams, spirit groups, academic clubs, and Corps of Cadets programs across Texas. The culture of “tradition over safety” can take root anywhere there is a power imbalance and a demand for loyalty.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Legal Framework for Victoria Families

Texas has some of the nation’s most clearly defined hazing statutes. Understanding this framework is essential for holding perpetrators accountable.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute):

• Definition (§37.151): Broadly covers any reckless or intentional act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation, on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical attention.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • Also a Crime: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against someone who does.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized the hazing or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is critical. It doesn’t matter if your child “went along with it.” The law recognizes they were under duress.

Civil Liability vs. Criminal Charges:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish the wrongdoer with jail time/fines. This can be concurrent with a civil case.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and family to recover compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. This is where we help families secure justice for medical bills, trauma, and future care.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Case?
Our investigative strategy, powered by our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, looks at the full universe of responsibility:

1. The Individuals: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The campus organization as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and have a history of similar incidents nationwide.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or deliberate indifference to known dangers.
5. Housing Corporations & Alumni Boards: Property owners and financial backers listed in public records.
6. Third Parties: Bars that overserved alcohol, landlords of off-campus houses, or security companies.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

To understand the gravity and legal complexity of a modern hazing case, we point to the active litigation we are leading. This is not an abstract example; it is our current work.

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston, accepted a bid to join the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter in Fall 2025. What followed was a campaign of abuse culminating in a life-threatening medical crisis. As reported in detailed media coverage from Click2Houston and ABC13, the hazing included:

• Humiliation: A mandatory “pledge fanny pack” filled with condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices.
• Servitude: Hours-long “study” blocks, overnight driving duties, and strict interview schedules.
• Physical Torture: Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; cold-weather exposure in underwear; and an extreme workout on November 3 involving 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
• Medical Catastrophe: After the November 3 workout, Bermudez’s body broke down. He was hospitalized for four days after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and facing the risk of permanent organ damage.

Our lawsuit names 17 defendants: the University of Houston, its Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. Following the allegations, the chapter was suspended and its members voted to surrender their charter. This case exemplifies the multi-layered fight for accountability that families in Victoria may face.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data-Driven Advocacy for Victoria Families

Unlike other firms, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to map the Greek ecosystem across Texas. This means for Victoria families, we already understand the organizational landscape behind the fraternities and sororities your child may encounter.

For the Victoria Region & Statewide Campuses:
Victoria families often have students at a mix of local and major statewide institutions. Based on public records, relevant campuses include:

• Local/Regional Campuses:
  • University of Houston-Victoria (Victoria, TX)
  • Victoria College (Victoria, TX)
  • Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Nueces County)
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio (Bexar County)
• Major Statewide Hubs where Victoria students commonly enroll:
  • University of Houston (Harris County)
  • Texas A&M University (Brazos County)
  • The University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
  • Texas State University (Hays County)
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock County)

Public Records Directory: Fraternity & Sorority Entities in Texas
The following is a sample from our directory of Texas-registered Greek organizations, built from IRS filings and public data. This illustrates the complex network of house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies that operate behind the scenes.

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 900293167, 3001 N Ben Wilson, Victoria, TX 77901 (IRS B83 filing – University of Houston-Victoria chapter).
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing – Epsilon Kappa Chapter alumni/housing entity).
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing).
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing).
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, 1101 Melrose Dr, Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 filing – Xi Chi Chapter).
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN 237279532, PO Box 2142, Prairie View, TX 77446 (IRS B83 filing – Prairie View alumni chapter).
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 475381060, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666 (IRS B83 filing – Theta Iota Chapter at Texas State).

This is just a snapshot. Our full engine tracks over 1,400 Greek-related entities across 25 Texas metros. Why does this matter? When we take a case, we immediately identify every potentially liable entity—the local chapter, its national headquarters, its housing corporation, and its alumni fund—so none can hide behind organizational complexity.

Where Victoria Families Send Their Kids: Campus-Specific Realities

Hazing risks are not uniform. They are shaped by campus culture, history, and institutional oversight. Here’s what Victoria parents should know about major Texas universities.

University of Houston-Victoria & Regional Schools:
While smaller than flagship campuses, hazing can still occur in campus clubs, athletic teams, and any group with an initiation process. The same vigilance applies. Reporting channels at UHV and Victoria College are the first stop, but legal options extend beyond internal discipline.

The University of Houston (Main Campus):
UH has an extensive Greek system and a documented history of hazing incidents. Following the Pi Kappa Phi case, the university labeled the conduct “deeply disturbing.” UH policies prohibit hazing and provide reporting mechanisms through the Dean of Students and UHPD. For families, prior incidents at UH can establish a pattern of knowledge that strengthens a civil case.

Texas A&M University:
The combination of a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets creates multiple avenues for risk. Texas A&M has faced serious lawsuits, including a Sigma Alpha Epsilon case where pledges alleged chemical burns from industrial cleaner and a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleging degrading sexualized hazing. The university’s response and prior disciplinary records are critical evidence.

The University of Texas at Austin:
UT Austin operates one of the most transparent hazing databases in the country, publicly listing violations. This database shows repeated sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced consumption and calisthenics. This very transparency can be used to prove the university and national organizations had clear knowledge of recurring problems.

Statewide & Other Universities:
The same national fraternities and sororities (Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, etc.) that have been involved in deaths and severe injuries at schools like Bowling Green, LSU, and Penn State also have active chapters at Texas schools. Their national histories of tragedy establish “foreseeability”—they knew or should have known the extreme risks of their traditions.

Practical Steps for Victoria Parents & Students

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk with Your Child: Use open-ended questions. “What does your new member process involve?” “Have you had to do anything that made you uncomfortable?” Listen without judgment.
2. Look for Signs: Unexplained injuries, drastic weight change, withdrawal from family/friends, excessive fatigue, anxiety around phone alerts, sudden secrecy.
3. Educate Yourself: Know that hazing is a crime in Texas, and consent is not a defense.

If Hazing Has Occurred:

1. Prioritize Health & Safety: Seek medical and psychological care immediately. Complete medical records are vital evidence.
2. Preserve ALL Evidence: This is the most critical step.
   • Digital: Screenshot every relevant group chat, text, and social media post. Do not delete anything. Our video on using your phone to document evidence provides a guide.
   • Physical: Photograph injuries over several days. Save damaged clothing or any objects used.
   • Document: Write a detailed timeline with names, dates, times, and locations.
3. Report Strategically: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, and/or local law enforcement. However, be aware that universities often launch internal investigations aimed at institutional risk management, not victim compensation.
4. Consult an Attorney BEFORE:
   • Giving a formal statement to university or police investigators.
   • Speaking with insurance adjusters from the fraternity or university.
   • Signing any settlement or resolution agreements from the school.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case:

• Deleting evidence to “protect” friends or the organization.
• Confronting the chapter directly, which triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
• Posting about the incident on social media, which can be used to challenge your credibility.
• Waiting for the university to “handle it,” while the statute of limitations ticks away. Learn about Texas filing deadlines in our video on statutes of limitations.
• Accepting a quick, low-ball settlement from an insurance company without understanding the full long-term impact of the injuries.

Why Attorney911? Texas-Based Hazing Litigators with a National-Caliber Approach

When your family in Victoria, Port Lavaca, Cuero, or Edna is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need advocates who understand the intricate power dynamics of Greek life, the tactics of university and fraternity insurance companies, and how to build an unbeatable case from complex evidence.

Our Proven Advantages for Texas Hazing Cases:

• Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are not theoreticians. We are currently lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10 million lawsuit. We are in the fight right now.
• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we helped write it.
• Complex Institutional Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have no fear taking on billion-dollar institutions with deep-pocketed defense teams.
• The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We invest in investigative depth. Our proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations means we start your case with a map of liability, not a blank slate.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients on all fronts.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving the diverse families of South Texas in their preferred language.

We operate on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Watch our explanation of how contingency fees work.

A Direct Message to Victoria Families

The journey from victim to survivor is arduous. It requires navigating medical care, institutional bureaucracy, and legal complexity, all while managing profound emotional pain. You do not have to walk this path alone.

If hazing has impacted your child at any Texas campus, we invite you to start with a confidential conversation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you make the best decision for your family’s healing and future.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• 24/7 Free Consultation Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Let us help you turn a moment of crisis into a pursuit of lasting accountability and change.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Preserving Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

1. Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
2. Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
3. How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Website:

• Main Site & Contact: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. If you need legal advice regarding a hazing incident, please contact us directly for a confidential consultation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) | Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas | Serving clients throughout Texas and nationwide in hazing litigation matters.