The long-term effects of violence are critical to the life of our youth, and in turn, the city and county. Defending My Childhood – Shelby County is an initiative spearheaded by Shelby County Government Office of Youth and Abuse to inform the community about children’s exposure to violence and its impact on them and the greater community.

This work began in 2011 when Shelby County was named one of eight sites nationally to carry out a comprehensive model to address children’s exposure to violence by the national Defending Childhood Initiative, led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The Network for Overcoming Violence and Abuse (NOVA), comprised of community partners throughout Shelby County, has served as a resource for families affected by trauma and violence