: 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.
: Warning videos, while well-intentioned, can reinforce the "rape myth" that victims are responsible for preventing their own assaults. Responses and Countermeasures
: Researchers at ISD Global label this "zombie misinformation" because it resurfaces nearly every April despite being thoroughly debunked. Impact and Social Harms RAPE DAY
Despite being fake, the "holiday" causes significant real-world harm:
"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
: 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.
: 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. Impact and Social Harms Despite being fake, the
: The spread of such content can trigger severe trauma symptoms in survivors of sexual assault.