Abuse / Neglect
Abused children include those who are physically or emotionally harmed, sexually molested, or endangered by parents or other adults. A neglected child is one whose parents or guardians have abandoned him or her, or have refused to provide for the child's basic needs of food, clothing, housing, medical care or supervision. Dependent children are those whose parents are unable to care for them adequately not necessarily through any fault of their own. Unruly children are status offenders truant from home or school, or out of their parents' control. Delinquent youth are those who have committed offenses that would be criminal if committed by an adult.
To make a report of child abuse or neglect in Franklin County OH, call the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline at 614.229.7000.
or visit the offices of Intake & Investigations at
525 E. Mound Street
Columbus OH 43215
Child abuse and neglect often occur in families under stress, in the middle of a crisis, or at the "end of the rope." Parents and other caregivers are sometimes overwhelmed by today's pressures and may not be able to cope with personal, financial or marital problems.
Drug and alcohol use may trigger abusive or neglectful behavior. And there is a growing correlation between domestic violence and child abuse.
Franklin County Children Services is mandated by Ohio to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect. Reports are made to the 24-hour child abuse hotline: 229-7000.
In Franklin County more than 9,000 investigations are completed each year. Child abuse and neglect are defined in the Ohio Revised Code.
Child maltreatment can include the following:
- Physical abuse may appear as bruises, marks or injuries inflicted by other than accidental means. It may be the result of excessive or out-of-control discipline from a parent or caregiver.
- Sexual abuse may involve any sexual activity between an adult and a child. It can include everything from fondling to rape. The act may also be for the gratification of the perpetrator or a third party, or for exploitation of the child. Over 80% of cases reported involve the parent, a relative, or other known adult as the perpetrator.
- Emotional abuse, although not as visible as other forms of abuse, can still be very damaging. The law defines it as mental injury; and does not give any real guidelines. A child who is repeatedly belittled, ignored, or blamed for the family's problems, may be emotionally abused.
- Neglect is another form of child maltreatment and occurs when a parent or caregiver fails to act on behalf of a child. A child who does not receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, supervision or education may be neglected.
- A dependent child is one who is homeless, destitute or without adequate parental care and support through no fault of the child's parent or caregiver. The child may lack adequate care because of a mental or physical condition. The child may also be in danger of being abused or neglected because they live in a household in which a sibling or other child who resides there is abused, neglected, or dependent.
