Document Actions

Keeping Our Kids Safe

A city-wide initiative to decrease the amount of violence to which children are exposed.

Vision: A Safe and Secure Community for all children and youth

Mission: To establish a community-wide effort to develop and implement an array of strategies that insures a violence-free environment for our children at home, in schools, and in our neighborhoods.

Steering Committee was formed January 2005 by the Newport News City Manager.
Participants were concerned with violence that was directed toward or witnessed by children and youth. Information presented by Transitions Family Violence Services indicated that exposure to violence in the home, school or community is the single most powerful factor for placing children at risk for becoming violent individuals as youth and adults.
29 community organizations and agencies, and City departments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding making a commitment to the goals of the Keeping Our Kids Safe Action Plan.
The Action Plan incorporates established programs and activities for skill building such as youth leadership development, parent education and support groups, Unitown, Al’s Pals, Protect Our Kids, Healthy Start and new programs such as the Community Leadership Institute.
The Action Plan includes a gang prevention component with referral to a central agency for assessment and program placement.

The Impact of Violence

¨ Nationally, by age 18, 25% of young people have experienced violence in their homes or community as victim or witness.

¨ Prevention is far less costly than treatment and sanctions.

¨ Children who experience or witness violence in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods are more likely to experience emotional, behavioral, learning, and social problems and become violent themselves.

¨ The earlier children and families at risk are identified and provided with supportive services and opportunities; the more likely they are to overcome challenges.

¨ Children raised in Violent Homes are:

¨ 6 times more likely to commit Suicide

¨ 26 times more likely to commit Sexual Assault

¨ 57 times more likely to abuse drugs

¨ 74 times more likely to commit other crimes against persons

¨ In Newport News, violent acts are increasing among younger children.

What We Must Do

Violence prevention and intervention efforts must begin in the earliest stages of child development.
The safety and stability of family life is critical to reducing the effects of violence in our community.
Effective responsible parenting is a most critical component to raising healthy, successful children and youth.
The key to violence prevention is creating a culture of non-violence in our community through raising community awareness and directly involving citizens.
Violence prevention requires a comprehensive, coordinated plan that aligns many programs and services around a common theme.
Quality child care and pre-school experiences are strategies for reducing risk and increasing healthy development.
Surrounding children and youth with positive relationships with caring adults is key to healthy growth and development.
The more Developmental Assets™ a child has the less likely they are to engage in negative behaviors and the more likely they are to embrace life-enhancing behaviors.

The Newport News Violence Prevention Network has made a commitment to prevent violence in Newport News. You are encouraged to join the Network in this effort. For more information please call the Newport News Office on Children, Youth and Families at 757-597-2801.