Rape Day May 2026

: Researchers at ISD Global label this "zombie misinformation" because it resurfaces nearly every April despite being thoroughly debunked. Impact and Social Harms

: 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". RAPE DAY

: 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

"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 : It creates a climate of fear, leading

: The spread of such content can trigger severe trauma symptoms in survivors of sexual assault.

: Warning videos, while well-intentioned, can reinforce the "rape myth" that victims are responsible for preventing their own assaults. Responses and Countermeasures

: Police departments globally have issued statements confirming there is no such "legal" day and that all sexual assault remains a serious criminal offense.