INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Indiana University Hazing: Alpha Tau Omega Frat Suspended After Video Shows Pledge Being Sexually Assaulted

By Aaron Homer
Published on: 02:46 PST, Oct 8, 2015

An Indiana University fraternity has been suspended indefinitely after a video surfaced that appeared to show a young man — apparently a fraternity pledge — being goaded into performing a sex act on a woman who appeared to be a stripper, the New York Daily News is reporting.

The 29-second video was leaked through a Twitter account called ATO Video and eventually found its way to the popular forum Reddit. It is not clear when or where the video was taken, but a user on Reddit indicated that it involves men at the Alpha Tau Omega house at Indiana University, according to the Daily Caller.

In the video, about a dozen rowdy, naked, and near-naked young men can be seen and heard passing around alcohol while loud music plays. A young man is seen burying his face into the pelvis of a naked woman while the crowd, including another naked woman, cheers them on.

It is not clear if the pledge or the woman involved in the sex act gave consent. Almost immediately after the hazing video surfaced, Indiana University officials moved to take action, suspending the fraternity immediately. In a tweet late Wednesday night, which did not specifically mention the video, the university announced the suspension.

In a second tweet, which has since been deleted, the university stated that the video involved allegations of sexual misconduct. A later tweet reiterated that ATO’s alleged allegations are contrary to the university’s values.

The suspension means that the fraternity can’t recruit new members or host any social functions, according to The Daily Caller.

In addition to the university, the national Alpha Tau Omega organization is also concerned about the contents of the hazing video. National Alpha Tau Omega CEO Wynn Smiley issued a statement Thursday indicating that ATO’s national leadership will be investigating.

“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.”

The Daily Caller notes that the video could also lead to criminal sexual assault charges.

This is not the first time the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity has been in trouble for hazing. In 2010, more than 100 members of the fraternity were suspended over hazing allegations.

“Hazing,” according to anti-hazing organization Stop Hazing, is the act of making a member of a group endure painful, dangerous, and/or humiliating activities in order to gain the acceptance of the group. Although most colleges and universities across the United States have specific policies against the practice, and although it’s illegal in 44 states, the practice still continues, sometimes with fatal results. Earlier this year, according to this Inquisitr report, 37 members of Baruch College’s Pi Delta Psi were indicted on charges related to the 2013 hazing death of a freshman pledge.

As of this post, Indiana University’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity has not responded to the allegations of hazing revealed in the leaked video.

[Image courtesy of Shutterstock/AN NGUYEN]

Share this article: Indiana University Hazing: Alpha Tau Omega Frat Suspended After Video Shows Pledge Being Sexually Assaulted
More from Inquisitr