Expert not surprised by alleged hazing at Sigtuna boarding school

A reported initiation ritual at Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket may have triggered suspected crimes at the Swedish boarding school, according to information cited by Aftonbladet. Three male students aged around 18 have been detained. Boarding school expert Petter Sandgren told SVT he was not surprised by the reports.

Aftonbladet reported that people wearing balaclavas took part in some form of initiation ritual, with three or four people allegedly taking the lead while others cheered them on. The prosecutor has confirmed suspicions of aggravated sexual assault, aggravated unlawful coercion and assault following events on Thursday afternoon.

Sandgren, a senior lecturer in education at Stockholm University and author of a book about boarding schools, described hazing as a ritual intended to induct new students into a collective. He said membership in that collective is considered important at such schools.

Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket is a private boarding school for upper-secondary students. It was formed in 1980 through the merger of two schools in Sigtuna.

Sandgren said boarding schools have often responded to incidents with tighter controls and other measures, only for similar problems to recur after a few years. But he said students are increasingly reporting incidents to school management, which can lead to police reports, and that change should not be overlooked.

Tags: Sweden, education, crime