(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- In the wake of the hazing scandal at Northwestern, an expert on the topic said there are steps parents, students and schools can take to help prevent such incidents.
Elliot Hopkins is Director of Sports Sanctioning and Student Services for the Illinois High School Association, and he's given hundreds of speeches across the country about hazing and how to prevent it.
"It’s incumbent upon administrators and coaching staff to have a policy, be proud of their policy, and share the policy so everyone knows what’s going on," he said.
"The message is not being heard and there’s still work to be done."
Hopkins encourages parents of student athletes to ask school administrators and coaches directly about their hazing policies.
For coaches, he has this message:
"If you’re a coach at any level, you have an obligation and a responsibility to make sure those young people, those young charges that you have control over in their lives.," Hopkins said.
"You need to know what’s going on and what’s happening."
Hopkins also said students athletes need to speak up to protect themselves and others.
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