Knox County
Sheriff's Office

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Knox County
Sheriff's Office

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Family CRIMES

The Family Crimes Unit dedicates themselves to aiding those involved in crimes committed by family members or those close to the victims.

Family Crimes Unit

Helping those who can't help themselves.

The Family Crimes Unit is located at the Family Justice Center, 400 Harriet Tubman St., Knoxville, Tennessee 37915. The Family Justice Center is the hub of more than 60 collaborating agencies working together to provide assistance and education pertaining to domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse.  These agencies include, but are not limited to: The District Attorney General’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Adult Protective Services, Department of Children Services, Knox County Schools, Legal Aid, YWCA, and Helen Ross McNabb, etc. The Knoxville Family Justice Center is one of the first centers established in the nation and has become a model for other agencies in the development of their own Family Justice Center.

Important Contact Information:

Family Crimes Unit: 865-215-6820

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Please call  (877) 237-0004 or follow the link below to report suspicions of abuse/neglect of children when the suspected abuse/neglect took place in Tennessee. TCA 37-1-403 and TCA 37-1-605 law requires all persons to make a report when they suspect abuse, neglect or exploitation of children.

https://apps.tn.gov/carat/

To report suspicions of abuse/neglect/exploitation of adults when the suspected abuse/neglect/exploitation took place in Tennessee. Please call (888) 277-8366. Your report will be reviewed and processed by Adult Protective Services personnel at the Tennessee Department of Human Services. For non-emergency cases you may file a report at https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/

The Family Crimes Unit is located at the Family Justice Center, 400 Harriet Tubman St., Knoxville, Tennessee 37915. The Family Justice Center is the hub of more than 60 partnering agencies working together to provide assistance and education pertaining to domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse.  These agencies include, but are not limited to: The District Attorney General’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Adult Protective Services, Department of Children Services, Knox County Schools, Legal Aid, YWCA, and Helen Ross McNabb, etc. The Knoxville Family Justice Center is one of the first centers established in the nation and has become a model for other agencies in the development of their own Family Justice Center.

Additionally, the cycle of domestic violence does not usually end, but escalates in both severity and frequency the longer a victim waits before taking action. There is information and assistance available to help break the cycle of violence. If you need assistance contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Family Crimes Unit Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at (865) 215-6820. After 4:00 p.m., you may call (865) 215-2243. In the event of an emergency, please dial 911.

Cases Involving F.C.U. in 2019

2713

Domestic Violence

936

Child Abuse

553

Elder Abuse

414

Orders of Protection Filed by our Victim Advocates

Cases Involving F.C.U. in 2020

2483

Domestic Violence

680

Child Abuse

494

Elder Abuse

466

Orders of Protection Filed by our Victim Advocates

  • Local Domestic Violence Hotline: (865) 521-6336
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
    IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:
  1. You may file a criminal complaint with the District Attorney General’s Office (DA)
  2. You may request a protective order which may include the following:
    1. An Order preventing the abuser from committing another domestic incident.
    2. An Order requiring the abuser to leave your household.
    3. An Order preventing the abuser from harassing you or contacting you for any reason.
    4. An Order giving you or the other parent custody or visitation with your minor child or children.
    5. An Order requiring the abuser to pay money to support you and the minor child if the abuser has a legal obligation to do so.
    6. An Order preventing the abuser from stalking you.

Contact Our Family Crimes Unit

**If this is an emergency or if you are in need of police response, please call 911**

Front entrance of Family Justice Center
Sheriff Tom Spangler

Knox County Sheriff's Office

Knoxville, TN

Tom Spangler, Sheriff