Social Media and Pop Culture in Prevention

Student Centered Services

Campus life is centered around the academic and interpersonal success of students. When campus life centers students and puts them first, prevention efforts are student and survivor centered as well.  When working with students there are multiple factors to consider to ensure prevention and education efforts address all populations present on campus, especially those with marginalized identities.

Understanding Campus Culture

Between social media, internet blogs, and celebrity news, the information that is present in pop culture continues to shape campus culture throughout the nation. With technology allowing access to information and resources to all the latest stories, those who want to integrate pop culture into intimate partner violence prevention work are able to meet students where they are! From Netflix to TMZ, check out some of the ways to integrate pop culture into prevention efforts!


What’s New in the Media: Prevention and Awareness Guides

It Ends With Us the film and novel

Violence Prevention Awareness Programming Ideas

Current Films and TV Shows for your programming: 

Check out a list of shows, films and other media forms that can be adapted to your programming efforts on campus. Please note, some shows have “toolkits” designed by NCCADV to help outline and recap moments that are ideal for student involved programming and education.

MAID | Netflix | Limited Series

Maid debuted on the popular streaming platform Netflix. The limited series depicts a young mother who flees an abusive relationship and finds a cleaning job to help build a better future. 

MAID Prevention Programming Guide

Thony | Amazon Prime | 25 min Autobiografilm 

Thony (pronounced Tony) followers the ups and downs of a new marriage between Thony and Melissa that has soured so quickly due to his issues of abandonment and jealousy. This is a Black film, depicts physical violence, verbal abuse and safety planning. 

P Valley | Starz | Throughout Season One

The story of a strip club located in Mississippi and how the dancers overcome challenges of everyday life. Characters throughout the show experience challenges related to Domestic Violence. 

Big Little Lies | HBO | Season One & Season Two

One major storyline in the show is the story of a woman whose husband is abusive. Season one depicts the woman seeking help, healing and options. Season two depicts the long-term impact and effects of abuse. 

Euphoria | HBO | Season One

Maddy, a young teen in the show, experiences verbal, emotional and physical abuse. This show also depicts suicidal ideation, sexual assault, dating abuse, violence against Trans folks and many other themes that intersects with gender-based violence work. 

9-1-1 | FOX | Season Two

FOX’s 9-1-1 introduced a domestic violence survivor with their second season. Maddie, portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt, is the sister of Evan and the show’s newest 911 dispatcher. The introduction of Maddie comes with a history of domestic violence. After running from her husband Doug (played by Love Hewitt’s real husband Brian Hallisay) she ends up in Los Angeles. 

‘Til Death Do Us Part | Netflix | Dating/Domestic Violence

Film displays a Black heterosexual couple, the female character is abused in her relationship & depicts how she as a survivor escapes her abuser and starts a new life.

The Staircase | Netflix | Domestic Violence

Depicts the real trial of Michael Peterson who was convicted of murdering his wife in Durham, NC.

Taylor Swift Inspired Awareness Posters

A campaign dedicated to raising awareness about bystander intervention and community engagement and care.

American Murder: The Family Next Door | Netflix | Domestic Violence

The true story of a woman, her two children and unborn child who disappeared in the middle of the night. The search for the family became a national sensation, to later find

out her husband was behind the death of all four of them. Depicts an active investigation, details of murder/homicide and domestic violence.

You | Netflix | Stalking/Dating Violence

Story from perspective of the abuser, depicts abuse and stalking. 

Season Two Toolkit of “You”

Abducted In Plain Sight | Netflix | Family Violence

Depicts the true story of how a perpetrator manipulated, coerced and abused an entire family.

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes | Netflix | Sexual Violence/Dating Violence

Depicts the true story of Ted Bundy, a serial killer who attacked multiple college campuses.

BRIGHT | Netflix | Oppression of Folks with Marginalized Identities

Deep allegory used throughout the movie to depict how marginalized identities are oppressed within in the United States. 

The Hunting Ground | Netflix | Sexual Violence

Depicts the stories of multiple college campuses responses to sexual violence or lack thereof and how the students fought back.

The SINNER (Season 1) | Netflix | PTSD/Trauma, Dating Violence

Depicts the story of a woman who is triggered by suppressed memories of dating violence.

Pretty Little Liars | Netflix | Stalking

Depicts the story of four teenage girls who are manipulated and stalked by a mysterious person for years.