Franklin County Marks Child Abuse Month

Published on April 07, 2026

Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Nearly 23,000 children in Franklin County may have experienced abuse or neglect in 2025, according to data presented at the April 7 General Session by representatives of Franklin County Children Services and the Center for Healthy Families. Three out of every five children flagged in those cases were Black, Brown, or youth of color, and Black girls represented the largest single group.

The figures were part of a presentation marking National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which Franklin County observed at the session through resolutions honoring two organizations leading prevention work in the community. Chip Spinning, Executive Director of Franklin County Children Services, and Toshia Safford, President and CEO of the Center for Healthy Families, joined youth advocates from the Black Girls and Young Women's Collective and the FCCS Malaika and Youth Advisory Board programs to address the board.

Youth speakers drew from local and national data to frame the urgency: child abuse affects more than three million children annually across the country, and three children die every day as a result. Locally, in 2021 alone, Franklin County Children Services received reports of more than 7,200 incidents of abuse or neglect involving Black girls.

The presentation highlighted the color blue as the month's symbol, inspired by the memory of a three-year-old boy who died due to abuse. Throughout April, landmarks across Columbus are being illuminated blue in observance of the month. The county's own office tower joined that display starting April 7.

Community members were invited to participate in several upcoming events, including a blue pinwheel planting at Columbus City Hall on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. Franklin County Children Services also hosted its annual Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast on April 8, themed "Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention," at the Boathouse.

Commissioner Erica Crawley, who referenced her past work with CASA, addressed the long-term effects of abuse. "Child abuse impacts the life course of a child, their ability to learn, to thrive, to live a healthy productive life," she said. She and Commissioner John O'Grady presented resolutions to both organizations before joining them for a photo at the dais.

Residents who want to stay connected to prevention efforts can follow the Center for Healthy Families on social media at @CenterforHealthyFamilies and visit the center's website for event updates.