There have been numerous strange and dangerous trends on TikTok, such as the “sleepy chicken recipe,” in which individuals would cook chicken in NyQuil, the “devious licks,” where students would steal items from the school they attend, and even a “slap a teacher” trend that frankly explains itself.  

On another note, there have been incredibly inspiring videos, including people who suffer from chronic illnesses sharing their perspectives on the illness, individuals sharing their family recipes, and so on. 

While this app has also allowed millions of users globally to share their stories and experiences of life, there are also some individuals that have taken advantage of the global connection, which can lead to some dangerous trends being born.  

Before being taken down, a video was made by a group of men in March 2021-specifically 6-who promoted April 24th, dubbing it “national rape day,” in which they tried to rally as many men as possible to go around and rape women and children (The Tab).  

They also, according to some sources, gave tips on how to commit sexual assault against women and children (Unifresher). 

This is not a nationally recognized holiday in any country or state, so there is some confusion surrounding the situation. Many users are specifically wondering how and why they even thought that attempting to establish that specific holiday would work.  

This video spread like wildfire before being removed from the app, but millions of users had already seen it. 

However, with the original taken down, news agencies are dubbing this to be a “hoax”. 

Specifically, the USA Today has “fact checked” the threat, and has found it to be false. 

However, on the contrary, the Parade and Newsweek 90 (alongside other agencies) have issued warnings about this potential threat and have provided a few ways to stay safe.  

Nevertheless, even if this event is a hoax, this is a dangerous situation for women, men, and children alike, so extreme caution must be taken on this day to keep yourself and others safe. It’s better to be safer than sorry. 

Listed below are a few ways you can stay out of harm’s way: 

1) Keep a keen eye on your surroundings. Knowing who is near you, where you are, and the potential exits if a bad situation were to occur. 

2) Get a self-defense weapon, if possible (but don’t carry these in school). Knives can be expensive and difficult to use, so purchasing pepper spray or an incredibly loud alarm may be ideal if you don’t know how to properly use a knife. 

3) Avoid going towards isolated areas alone. If you end up in a dangerous situation, you may not get the help you need in time. 

4) Power walk. Power walking, or “walking with a purpose” can be a deterrence for attackers, as it displays confidence and power, which are qualities they will try to avoid in potential victims. 

5) Listen to your gut. If something seems off, then you should likely leave, even if it is a false alarm. Keeping yourself safe is your number one priority. 

6) Always go with at least one other person to a social outing. Never, ever be alone, especially if you are going out to a place you haven’t been before.  

7) Never, if you get a drink, leave it unattended. This gives the chance for someone to slip something into your drink, which is absolutely something you don’t want.  

8) Never accept drinks from someone who you don’t know. This is due to the same reason listen in number seven. 

9) Have a specific code word with friends or family. Having one could let them know that you aren’t comfortable in a situation, or something is wrong, which can allow you to get out of a potentially dangerous event. 

10) Lie. Lying may be the only way out of the situation if the person is persistent, harassing you, or so on. If you don’t particularly like lying, think of it as a “good lie”, as it is keeping you-and potentially others-safe. For example, saying “I have some place to be” could be a good excuse. 

11) Speak calmly and have a level voice. Inducing a potential attacker’s rage is the last thing you would want to happen, especially if they seem temperamental. 

12) Try to deter your attacker by screaming loudly, claiming you have an STD, or trying to get help from passersby. 

13) If needed, attack the vulnerable parts of their body. A kick to the groin, a job in the eyes, a twist to the wrist, a pinch to a pressure point, a tug on the ear, or even a hit to the head will likely give you the time you need to escape.  

14) If you are unable to complete number 13, use anything nearby. Keys, a purse, rings, a comb, hairspray, or your wallet could disorient the attacker, but be aware that this weapon could be used against you. 

15) Pay attention to the security at home and in public. Securely lock your doors and windows at night, and perhaps even think about getting an alarm system. 

16) Always have a backup plan. If plan A doesn’t work, have a plan B (and even a plan C). Being prepared to escape, fight back, or take control of a situation could make the difference of life and death, especially in an assault case. 

17) Watch where you share your location. Only have it turned on for close friends, if anything. Letting a stranger see where you are can potentially threaten you, even if you’re not aware of it. 

18) Let the individuals you are visiting (or a trusted person) know where you are going and when you are leaving. This could help them notice if something went astray sooner and get the authorities to respond quicker. 

19) Call the authorities. Even if it’s a false alarm, it is better to stay safe than regret it later. 

Keeping yourself safe during this day (or any day, for that matter) is incredibly important. With some news agencies believing that the threat is a hoax, I frankly hope that it is. However, in the event that it is not, this list will hopefully be beneficial. 

Students at Dakota especially should exert caution; this is an extremely large school where you may see new faces every day, so be aware of your surroundings and who you are with on April 24th. This applies to both being in school and being in public.