Experts on relationship violence and young people from the Bay Area and across the country are reacting to the violent behavior portrayed in the new “Love the Way You Lie,” music video by Eminem, featuring Rihanna. Starring actors Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox, the video depicts an abusive relationship and violent acts.

Tatiana Colón is the director of Education and Youth Services at the Family Violence Law Center in Oakland, which is also the local office for Start Strong (a national youth violence prevention initiative). Colón is concerned about the video and its potential contribution to relationship violence and teen dating violence.

“I am concerned that it sensationalizes dating and domestic violence - that it is OK to be in an abusive relationship,” she says. Youth who Colón speaks to about the video feel it tries to say that it’s sexy to be abused. Unlike other experts, Colón sees the video offering no benefit to awareness or understanding of relationship violence. “Rihanna sings that ‘that’s alright you make me cry’ and ‘I like the way it hurts’ – not only it is OK but almost that she likes it,” she says. “I was surprised to hear that, instead of saying that this is not OK.”

Start Strong Oakland