University of Portsmouth speaks out on 'national rape day' hoax warning people to ignore false claims

Messages spread across social media claim that April 24 is ‘National Sexual Assault and Rape Day’, with some messages implying that all sexual assault and rape crimes are legal on the day.

Among the social media posts spreading are one that falsely claim Portsmouth students are planning to attack women on Saturday.

The University of Portsmouth has addressed students’ concerns around the posts – which have caused ‘a great deal of understandable fear’ – by reassuring them that he messages appear to be the result of a widespread hoax.

A spokeswoman from the university said: ‘The information we have currently leads us to believe this is a hoax which has spread around the world, designed to cause fear and to play on serious and genuine concerns regarding sexual assault.

‘The concept of such a day is abhorrent and has caused many people, particularly women and girls, a great deal of understandable fear.

‘Our advice to students and colleagues is to ignore these messages and not spread them further. Police have been made aware of these posts.

‘We do not tolerate any form of sexual abuse, harassment or assault and we will deal firmly with any matters that are brought to our attention.’

Some social posts have prompted such concern that an 11-year-old girl took two knives to her school in order to protect herself against a possible assault, according to a social media post by Southampton police.

The knives were recovered, and the young girl and her family have received support and advice regarding the situation.

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Police confirmed they have no evidence to suggest the posts relate to anything other than ‘a disgusting hoax’.

A spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We are aware of reports nationally about malicious and untrue videos circulating on social media that refer to a ‘national rape day’.

‘While we appreciate this must be alarming to read, there is no evidence that this is anything other than a disgusting hoax.

‘Our colleagues at the National Police Chiefs’ Council are working with social media companies to remind them of their duty to remove potentially harmful videos of this nature from their platforms.

‘Anyone with concerns can contact us either online or via the 101 number. In an emergency, always dial 999.’

Sexual assault charity Rape Crisis believes that the hoax has been perpetuated by a TikTok video showing men promoting ‘National Rape Day’ in the USA.

While the original clip is believed to have been pulled down, it has sparked panic and warnings online, with the hashtag #24April being viewed more than 62 million times and hundreds of thousands of videos.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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