So there was a “joke” started on TikTok by a group of men deeming today, April 24, 2021, National R*pe Day and that they were going to “take what’s rightfully their’s” from women because they were tired of women advocating for themselves and opening up about their abuse. https://twitter.com/ayeesammay/status/1386010784849752064

I don’t know when the “joke” started, but since then it has gained a large following on Facebook and a Facebook Messenger group was created. Even if this is a “joke”, this “joke” is EXTREMELY triggering to Sexual Assault (SA) survivors, like myself, and still causes harm.

Because of this “joke” I’ve been in and out of an dissociative state since 5 am today and have been having panic attacks back to back because I’m reliving my SA trauma all over again out of fear that it may happen again. I called out of work because I’m scared to leave my house.

And I can’t eat because I’m so emotionally overwhelmed that the sight of food makes me gag. This is NOT a “joke”, and cannot be taken as one because even if it was started as a “joke”, there are those out there who see this as compliance and support.

And they will assault someone(s) because of this. Regardless of gender, BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. SA is not a gender-conforming abuse, it is about power over another person.

If you are someone who is friends with someone who exhibits predatory behavior or “jokes” about predatory behavior, and you don’t say or do anything. YOU ARE ALSO A PART OF THE PROBLEM. Speak up! You speaking against someone or warning someone can save a person.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be aware of your surroundings, Google basic self-defense skills, and watch out for predatory behavior. Even if it’s not directed at you, because you can notify the person that it is directed at. Please be safe everyone!