MASH - Mothers Against School Hazing

By BRETT TROXLER
2theadvocate.com staff
From a report by WBRZ's Marvin McGraw
The Advocate
Thursday, May 20, 2004

An Ascension Parish mother took her battle against hazing to the state Capitol on Thursday as she asked lawmakers to pass a law requiring public schools to adopt policies against the act.

The hazing bill passed a Senate committee and now goes to the full Senate for debate.

Karen Savoy's son was the victim of a hazing incident at St. Amant High School in 2002. Savoy said she just wants to protect other children and their families from having to undergo what her son has been through.

"My son, on his 14th birthday, on Oct. 14, 2002, was faced with an incident with an athletic football team," Savoy told the committee.

Savoy said her son, who was a sophomore on the St. Amant football team at the time, was attacked when he entered the locker room that day.

"They taped him to a bench from his ankles to his wrist, stripped him nude, and he was beat by 28 player," she said.

Savoy said that her son was then assaulted sexually.

"Kids leaving the showers, were also nude," she told the committee. "They rubbed their bare, personal parts, on his face and upper body.

The mother of three added that those students involved in the hazing were only disciplined after she complained to school officials.

"It appalls me, that my son's perpetrators got Saturday detentions, which were no more than a student leaving their ID at home gets," she said.

At the time of the incident St. Amant had no policy against hazing. The bill Savoy testified in favor of would require public schools to adopt and enforce policies against hazing. Savoy said since the incident became public some in the community have vilified her family, and her son has had a tough time.

"A policy was created in Ascension Parish after this happened to my son," Savoy said. "It was too late for him. I ask that you please don't make it too late for someone else."

Savoy said she has also since formed a national organization called MASH, an acronym for Mothers' Against School Hazing.

As reported May 20 on WBRZ's 6 p.m. telecast.


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		Ascension Mother Promotes Anti-hazing Bill By BRETT TROXLER 2theadvocate.com staff From a report by WBRZ's Marvin McGraw The Advocate Thursday, May 20, 2004 An Ascension Parish mother took her battle against hazing to the state Capitol on Thursday as she asked lawmakers to pass a law requiring public schools to adopt policies against the act. The hazing bill passed a Senate committee and now goes to the full Senate for debate. Karen Savoy's son was the victim of a hazing incident at St. Amant High School in 2002. Savoy said she just wants to protect other children and their families from having to undergo what her son has been through. "My son, on his 14th birthday, on Oct. 14, 2002, was faced with an incident with an athletic football team," Savoy told the committee. Savoy said her son, who was a sophomore on the St. Amant football team at the time, was attacked when he entered the locker room that day. "They taped him to a bench from his ankles to his wrist, stripped him nude, and he was beat by 28 player," she said. Savoy said that her son was then assaulted sexually. "Kids leaving the showers, were also nude," she told the committee. "They rubbed their bare, personal parts, on his face and upper body. The mother of three added that those students involved in the hazing were only disciplined after she complained to school officials. "It appalls me, that my son's perpetrators got Saturday detentions, which were no more than a student leaving their ID at home gets," she said. At the time of the incident St. Amant had no policy against hazing. The bill Savoy testified in favor of would require public schools to adopt and enforce policies against hazing. Savoy said since the incident became public some in the community have vilified her family, and her son has had a tough time. "A policy was created in Ascension Parish after this happened to my son," Savoy said. "It was too late for him. I ask that you please don't make it too late for someone else." Savoy said she has also since formed a national organization called MASH, an acronym for Mothers' Against School Hazing. As reported May 20 on WBRZ's 6 p.m. telecast.