Rape Day Online

: The trend began on TikTok in April 2021, coinciding with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It allegedly started from a video made by a group of men declaring April 24th as "National Rape Day".

: While TikTok reported no evidence of the original video, the hashtag #April24 and related content amassed millions of views. Most of these were "response videos" from users sharing safety warnings or making threats against potential perpetrators, which inadvertently helped the hoax spread. RAPE DAY

Despite being fake, the "holiday" causes significant real-world harm: : The trend began on TikTok in April

: Police departments globally have issued statements confirming there is no such "legal" day and that all sexual assault remains a serious criminal offense. Most of these were "response videos" from users

: It creates a climate of fear, leading many women and girls to alter their behavior, such as staying indoors or carrying weapons for protection.

"National Rape Day" is a viral social media hoax that first surfaced in April 2021. It is characterized by claims that sexual assault is "legal" or "encouraged" on April 24th, a narrative that has been repeatedly debunked by researchers, law enforcement, and social media platforms. Overview of the Hoax

: Platforms like TikTok have stated they monitor for and remove content promoting violence, though critics at ISD Global argue that moderation strategies often fail to trigger warning labels or promote debunking posts.