Bedford Victim/Witness Program

10/22/2026

10/07/2026

The Bedford Victim Witness Assistance Program was in attendance at the National Night Out event held October 6, 2026. This event is held annually since 1984 to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie! What a great event!

10/07/2026

10/01/2026

08/19/2026

06/02/2026

Pride began as a call for visibility, dignity, and justice. Those values continue to guide the work of victim advocacy today.

This month, we honor LGBTQIA+ survivors and advocates whose leadership and courage help create stronger, more compassionate communities.

We celebrate the progress made while recognizing that equity, safety, and belonging require continued action!

06/02/2026

Yesterday, in yet another domestic related shooting, two Chesterfield County Police officers were injured and police K-9, Knight, lost his life. We send our deepest condolences to the Chesterfield County Police department. Our thoughts are also with the two injured officers as we wish them complete and quick recoveries.

For generations, domestic violence has often been treated as a "private family matter"—something to be dealt with behind closed doors. However, sociological, economic, and public safety data have proven that domestic violence is a profound societal crisis.

When a home is unsafe, the ripples are felt across schools, workplaces, healthcare systems, and public spaces.

There is a deep, documented connection between domestic abuse and broader public safety. A significant percentage of mass shootings and acts of public violence are perpetrated by individuals who have a history of domestic abuse or who target an intimate partner or family member first. What begins as a volatile, intimate relationship frequently spills over, endangering bystanders, neighbors, co-workers and first responders.

Because domestic violence is a systemic issue, it cannot be solved solely by law enforcement or the victims themselves. Eliminating it requires a collective shift in culture, policy, and individual behavior. We all have a responsibility.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call or text VVAN's Victim Assist Helpline to reach an advocate at 1-855-4-HELP-VA (855-443-5782)

OR contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting "START" to 88788. Both are and confidential.

06/02/2026

Our thoughts are with the community of Virginia Beach following the disheartening and tragic shooting involving two Navy service members on Sunday, May 31 that claimed yet another life.

Domestic violence is often misunderstood as an issue that only affects specific segments of the population. In reality, it crosses every demographic line—regardless of age, socioeconomic status, profession, religion, or cultural background. Abuse is fundamentally about power and control, not external circumstances. Because power dynamics exist in every human dynamic, domestic violence can manifest anywhere.

Intimate partner violence in military relationships carries unique complexities. High-stress environments, combat-related trauma (such as PTSD), frequent relocations, and a rigid chain-of-command culture can complicate both the abuse and the reporting process. Victims often fear reporting abuse because doing so could jeopardize their or their significant other’s military career, which most rely on for housing, healthcare, and income.

We cannot continue to look away or treat these tragedies as inevitable. As a society, we have a collective responsibility to believe survivors, recognize the warning signs early, and dismantle the systems that allow abusers to escalate to mass violence. True change starts when we pull this issue out from the shadows and work together for systemic change.