Your Safe Haven in Bedford County to expand outreach, add services for domestic abuse survivors

# What happened Your Safe Haven, a Bedford County nonprofit that serves survivors of intimate-partner violence, held a ribbon cutting on the morning of Oct. 1 to mark the start of expanded outreach during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Agency administrators said they will add services and staff in the near future to better serve people across the county.

# Why this matters Local officials with the organization pointed to widely reported statistics about intimate-partner violence to explain the need for expanded capacity. The article cites figures that 1 in 4 men and 1 in 3 women are victims of violent crimes committed by intimate partners. Your Safe Haven's leadership framed the expansion as a way to reach more people and provide clearer information about options for those experiencing abuse.

# What the agency will do Randy Williams, executive director of Your Safe Haven, said the agency's immediate goals are to increase staff so they can serve more people and to improve outreach countywide. Williams emphasized reaching residents outside borough centers so people across Bedford County know the agency's services exist and what options are available if they are victims of crime or abuse.

# Practical details for survivors If you are a victim of domestic violence and live in Bedford County, Your Safe Haven offers help at no charge. The agency's hotline is available 24/7 at (814) 623-7664. The article presents the hotline and free services as primary, actionable resources for people in immediate need.

# Local context and connections The story ran as part of coverage for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and appeared alongside other regionally focused items about services and awareness. The article notes related regional coverage of domestic violence resources, including other local organizations working on similar issues in neighboring counties.

# Bottom line Your Safe Haven is expanding staffing and outreach to serve more survivors across Bedford County. The organization is asking residents to be aware of the free services and the 24/7 hotline if they or someone they know is experiencing intimate-partner violence.