Inside the Disturbing “National Day”

Content warning: This article covers topics of sexual assault.

Whether you love it or hate it, TikTok has established itself as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to pop culture. From popularizing dance challenges to helping political activists spread the word to offering a new era of social media influencing, the app has become a hub of cultural activity. Unfortunately, TikTok has also been the source of some dangerous trends thanks to its popularity.

So, what’s happening on April 24th? Here’s what you need to know about the disturbing “trend” — and how to report videos glorifying it.

Back in 2021, a group of six men on TikTok reportedly designated April 24 as a “national day” for carrying out sexual assault. They have claimed that on April 24 it’s legal to sexually assault anybody — and they even provided tips on how to do so.

It’s unclear who is responsible for starting the trend (or whether it was a joke) at this point. However, a number of social media users made TikTok videos to help get the word out that this “national day” could pose a threat.

“I was just browsing TikTok, and one of the videos I was watching — I heard this rumor, joke, hoax, whatever it is, that April 24 is national … abuse day. I’m not going to say that word,” a TikTok user with the handle @sgtjarrett began.

“If you have experienced this, I am so sorry. And if you know of someone or love someone who has, I’m sorry. To my brothers, friends, family, protect those you love and keep them safe. They are scared of this. This is not funny, this is not a joke, this is not something to laugh about. This kind of abuse should never happen to anybody,” he continued, clearly emotional over the disturbing “trend.”

He, like many others, encouraged his followers to do their best to stay extra safe on April 24.

“If you can stay home, please do. If you have to go out and about, please remain with someone you know and someone you trust. Hopefully, none of these sick scumbags are actually brave enough to try anything, but you never know,” Dustin Jarrett said in a separate 2021 video.

New April 24 reaction videos are making their rounds on TikTok, proving that the twisted “trend” isn’t dead just yet.

“The April 24 national rape day is f–king embarrassing,” TikTok user @themisspamelaj said in a 2023 TikTok video. “This is not just disrespectful to women, this is disrespectful to the children that get raped, and this is disrespectful to men that get raped,” she continued.

“So, what we’re going to do is — instead of engaging in these f–king incels — we’re gonna block and report their comments. And if somebody privately messages you, screenshot it, send it to your local police station,” she went on, encouraging people to silence the voices of those promoting such vile behavior.

As for how to report videos promoting this “national day,” we’re here to explain.

Plenty of other TikTok users have followed suit in an attempt to make sure that people are aware of a potential increased threat on April 24. Many have encouraged their followers to report any video they see that promotes this “national day” of sexual assault.