Youth Violence Prevention Week kicks off in Knoxville [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Youth Violence Protection Week kicked off at the John T. O’Connor Senior Center in Knoxville on Sunday.

The week, which became officially recognized in 2001, focuses on stopping violence in the community, whether that be domestic violence or youth violence towards other youths.

“We need to protect our kids, and this is one way to do that. Give them other ways to solve conflict; that’s the most important thing,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said.

The City of Knoxville’s Office of Community Safety & Empowerment is running different events throughout the week, including a kickoff clinic with different resources available to the community that aim to combat youth violence.

“This is just a great way to kick off Youth Violence Prevention Week to really encourage our community to think about how we can all be involved in supporting our young people and creating safe spaces and thinking …