With one year having passed since Elijah Vue was reported missing, InCourage in Manitowoc is reminding residents how to spot potential abuse situations.
Dalice Metoxen is the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate and Prevention Educator at InCourage, tells SeehaferNews.com that recognizing the warning signs of an abusive situation, whether it is physical or sexual, can be very beneficial in preventing another situation like the one that transpired in Two Rivers one year ago.
“A lot of the times sexual assault and domestic violence can have very similar effects on a human being, especially in those behavioral aspects, social aspects, personality changes, maybe regression in behavior for a lot of children.”
That regression aspect can be seen in many different ways, but Metoxen gave an example.
“Children can be completely potty trained and then maybe something traumatic happens to them and they regress back into those diaper stages.”
Adults are encouraged to keep an eye on children, and if they see something concerning, to either talk to the child directly or call InCourage for help.
“We can speak to a child like up to two times without parental consent,” Metoxen explained. “So if somebody is concerned…they can call and we can come in there and talk to that child.” She also said adults can speak with the child about, “safety and how they’re feeling, whether it’s at home or school.”
Some may have concerns about reporting a potential situation to places like Child Protective Services because they are worried a false report could result in a child being taken away from their loving parents.
Metoxen said that is not what CPS is all about.
“I think a lot of times people think it comes off as a scary thing at first, but they do have a lot of amazing resources and their goal is to keep families together and keep families safe,” she explained. “People shouldn’t be afraid to call, even if it’s anonymously, and make that report so that at the end of the day, we know that that child is safe.”
Much like when voicing concern about someone’s mental health and potential suicide risk, Metoxen says bringing up the conversation is always the best course of action.
That is why InCourage makes it a priority to speak with children at school.
“We do youth presentations kind of getting out there and having them learn about this kind of thing, especially before they reach that level of maturity, where they’re intimate and where they’re reaching relationships and things like that, so they can be aware of warning signs as well as maybe their peers or their family and any environment that they may be around somebody.”
You can reach out to InCourage anonymously for more information by calling 920-684-4661.
If you are in a domestic crisis, you are encouraged to either call the 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 920-684-5770, or 911.
