Bedford Domestic Violence Services

09/09/2025

Check out this posting from Roanoke Valley Trauma Informed Community Network.

09/05/2025

Zenda-Lee Williams
Survivor 💜

09/02/2025

08/29/2025

Check out this protective order information. BDVS has a court advocate that can assist with paperwork and accompany victims through the court process. 540-587-0970.

08/28/2025

These beautiful words were left with our program, and we wanted to share them with all of our supporters. There is hope when starting over. If someone you know is in need of assistance, please give them our hotline number to call. 540-587-0970.

08/21/2025

5 Things You Should Never Say to A Domestic Violence Victim
1. Why don’t you just leave? Why do you stay? This is the worst and the one question that victims are asked the most often. There is immense pain behind this fully loaded question. There is so much conditioning and trauma bonding that goes into domestic violence; leaving an abusive relationship is not as simple as walking away and starting over. There are often children, finances, extended family, housing situations… it is a lot to handle or figure out.
2. No Relationship is perfect, everyone has problems. Yes, there is no perfect relationship. That being said, abuse – either physical or emotional – is NEVER a part of a healthy relationship. Abuse is not a couple’s problem. It is a one-sided hurtful infliction of power and control. People are not seeking perfection in life, but rather looking for respect, dignity and a life free of pain. This is NOT the thing you should ever say to a domestic violence victim.
3. How can you let him/her treat you like that? I would never let this happen to me. Very harmful, very bad. Blaming and stereotyping the victim is so damaging – it can happen to anyone. Until you are in their shoes, you truly have no idea what you would do in that situation.
4. He/she always seems too nice though, I can’t believe that was/is happening. Most abusers are very charismatic in public and people like them. It is behind closed doors that their true colors emerge. Many victims are horribly embarrassed and afraid to speak up. Supporting the abuser to the victim in this way will cause more pain and embarrassment to the victim as it affirms to them that they are the problem.
5. I never liked him/her anyway, I told you something was off. This statement makes a person feel like they are too foolish and blind to see the truth. Abuse is very complex and happens slowly over time with a lot of conditioning, it is not easy for a person to identify it when they are in it.

Listening, believing, and validating the abuse is the way to go. If you can do nothing else besides listen and understand, that is a huge help in itself. So, if you find yourself in a situation where a victim is opening up to you, listen. 🤩

08/20/2025

Take a look at this very interesting information.

08/15/2025

Today is National Financial Awareness Day. Here at NNEDV, we believe in raising awareness about financial abuse, a tactic of power and control that many abusers choose to use in order to keep partners trapped in relationships.

If you've experienced this kind of violence, know that you're not alone and that resources are available. 💙 Learn more: https://buff.ly/zVO98bH

[Image description: Against a wavy blue background, text reads: "Examples of financial abuse. Forcing a partner to miss, leave, or be late to work, or harassing a partner at work. Withholding money or basic resources from a partner, or giving a partner an “allowance." Controlling how shared finances are spent. Stealing money, credit, property, or identity from a partner. Forcing a partner to file fraudulent documents or overspend on credit cards." NNEDV logo in bottom right. The NNEDV logo consists of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV."]

08/15/2025

You can start over if you decide to leave an unhealthy relationship. We can help. Call our hotline 540-587-0970 to find out more.

One way we build resilience is by fighting permanence, which is the belief that our grief or pain will last forever. Taking steps to remind ourselves that ev...

08/06/2025

Bedford Domestic Violence Services had so much fun at the NNO 2025 event. Talking with our community members is always so informative and rewarding. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth. We love helping the Bedford community.

08/01/2025

What Is Manipulation?
Manipulation is a form of emotional abuse that aims to exploit, control, or otherwise influence others to one’s advantage.
Manipulation targets and controls how someone feels, thinks, and behaves in order for the manipulator to get what they want.

Passive-Aggressiveness:
Passive-aggressive communication is when someone says or indicates something without outright saying what they mean. This can take many forms, including sarcasm, pouting, or backhanded compliments. This keeps the victim in a constant pattern of monitoring, guessing, and trying to anticipate/adjust to the manipulator’s moods and reactions.

If you have questions in regard to an unhealthy relationship, please call our office and schedule a time to talk to or meet with one of our DV advocates. 540-587-0970.