In 2023, there were 18 reported cases of dating violence on campus, according to Kent State’s 2024 Annual Security Report. In 2024, 24% of adolescent girls, which is 19 million girls ranging from 15 to 19 years old, will experience physical and intimate partner violence, according to a World Health Organization study.
Movies like “It Ends With Us” can help individuals understand the warning signs and escalation of dating and relationship violence.
“It Ends With Us” follows Lily Bloom as she falls in love with Ryle Kincaid; however, he begins to become abusive. Bloom learns to recognize the signs of abuse and second chances with the help of her first love, Altas Corrigan.
However, the controversy surrounding the movie’s stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has caused the messaging to become overshadowed, said Richantae Johnson, director of The Office of Gender Equity and Title IX.
“I think [the controversy] can create larger conversations,” Johnson said. “I think that if it’s used to redirect to the purpose of the movie, in regards to preventing intimate partner violence and recognizing patterns and stopping cycles, that applies to sexual harassment as well.”
In Lively’s complaint against Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni allegedly entered her dressing room without asking during times when she was breastfeeding and undressing.
In the workplace or other settings, individuals can learn to create boundaries with others by being clear as to what actions they are comfortable with, said Jennifer O’Connell, director of The Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services.
Healthy relationships are formed through mutual respect and trust between individuals, she said.
“When you start to feel the communication is breaking down between the two, or you’re a little suspicious of the other person … those are signs that it might not be the right relationship,” O’Connell said.
The movie can be used to help individuals understand the escalating signs of the relationship, like pushing others away or brushing off insults as minor issues, O’Connell said.
“[The movie] almost does harm to people in abusive relationships because there’s this myth out there that you can just leave the person, like ‘If you don’t like it, leave,’” she said. “It’s not that easy.”
Like the movie’s title implies, ending relationship and dating violence is a collective effort of looking out for others and noticing harmful behaviors.
“If you see harmful behavior happening, it’s on us to say ‘that is harmful,’ to say ‘that is inappropriate,’ to call out behavior and to report it when it’s happening,” Johnson said.
“Go Justin … he deserves all the money,” “Bye, Bye Blake” and “Trial? … Here we go, another Johnny Depp and Amber Heard fiasco” are some of the comments from a People Magazine Instagram post about Lively and Baldoni’s March 9, 2026 court date.
Johnson said these viewpoints and others can cause survivors to struggle with reporting the violence or harassment they are experiencing.
“Blaming survivors or trying to figure out who’s right or who’s wrong in the situation. It should just be about how do we prevent these things from happening,” she said.
However, she still advises individuals to report the nonconsensual behaviors they are experiencing or witnessing.
“Whenever we meet with someone that is reporting, we let them know that … this first conversation you’re having with us, this is really just for you to get support and to understand what your options are,” Johnson said.
For those noticing or experiencing dating or relationship violence, the university offers a number of resources like SRVSS and The Office of Gender Equity and Title IX. Off-campus resources like Safer Futures can also be utilized.
Adriana Gasiewski is a campus editor. Contact her at [email protected].
