: Researchers at ISD Global label this "zombie misinformation" because it resurfaces nearly every April despite being thoroughly debunked. Impact and Social Harms
: 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.
: Organizations like Action for Personal Choice provide resources for parents and educators to talk to teens about these posts, emphasizing that rape is never acceptable or legal. RAPE DAY
: Warning videos, while well-intentioned, can reinforce the "rape myth" that victims are responsible for preventing their own assaults. Responses and Countermeasures
: It creates a climate of fear, leading many women and girls to alter their behavior, such as staying indoors or carrying weapons for protection. : Researchers at ISD Global label this "zombie
: 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".
: The spread of such content can trigger severe trauma symptoms in survivors of sexual assault. : Organizations like Action for Personal Choice provide
Despite being fake, the "holiday" causes significant real-world harm: