4000 Days: Building Awareness, Accountability, and Prevention Around Hazing

The new documentary 4000 Days tells the powerful story of three families who, after losing their sons to fraternity hazing, refused to let their tragedies be forgotten — dedicating themselves to raising awareness, demanding accountability, and advocating for reforms that would help prevent future hazing-related injuries and deaths.

The film's title reflects the more than 4,000 days these families spent transforming unimaginable loss into meaningful action. Through intimate family moments, advocacy efforts, and behind-the-scenes footage of their work, 4000 Days documents not only the devastating impact of hazing, but also the extraordinary determination required to create lasting change.

Among the families featured in the film are Clery Center board members Julie and Gary DeVercelly, whose son, Gary DeVercelly, Jr., died from hazing at Rider University in 2007. Following their loss, the DeVercellys became advocates for hazing prevention, working alongside Clery Center and StopHazing to grow awareness and advance policy changes at both the state and federal levels. Their efforts helped lead to the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act, which amended the Clery Act in 2024, bringing greater transparency and accountability to colleges and universities nationwide.

The documentary arrives at a particularly significant moment. With the Stop Campus Hazing Act now reshaping expectations for colleges and universities, 4000 Days provides important context about why these reforms matter and the human stories behind them. The law's requirements for hazing transparency, prevention education, and public reporting reflect many of the priorities that families have championed for years.

The film has already received significant recognition, earning acceptance into the Tribeca Festival, Jersey Shore Film Festival, and Dances With Films LA, helping to bring the conversation about hazing prevention to broader audiences and ensuring that the stories of those affected continue to be heard.

At Clery Center, we believe that stories have the power to educate, inspire, and create change. The families featured in 4000 Days have elevated national conversations about hazing, influenced public policy, and helped create safer campus environments for future generations of students. Their efforts remind us that meaningful progress is possible when individuals come together with determination, purpose, and a commitment to protecting others.

Visit Clery Center's Hazing Prevention & Education webpage for more education and resources.