Sayu’ʔ X Wey  Institute

Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking disproportionately affect Indigenous Peoples. The epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples is SILENT GENOCIDE.

The Sayu’ ʔ X Wey Family Safety Center is designed to assist the domestic violence and sexual assault professionals working on and off-site with the seven nearby tribes of Makah, Hoh, Quileute, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam and Suquamish. The Sayu’ ʔ X Wey Family Safety Center  is a collaborative program managed by WomenSpirit Coalition. Our collaborative multi-service center, the Sayu’ ʔ X Wey Family Safety Center is a sacred and safe  space for all Native American trauma victims and/or survivors to seek assistance so all trauma victims can heal with hope and excel in their pursuit of happiness. Our  objectives are to:

• Create a safe space for victims to seek help and be heard.
• Provide an environment that is conducive to healing from polyvictimization
  advocate for culture-specific response.
• Offer appropriate civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence.
• Advocate for appropriate health and wellness care for victims of domestic
  violence.
• Provide help and resources to all who are exposed to domestic violence, both
  primary and secondary victims.
• Support domestic violence offenders being held responsible/accountable.
• Reduce the number of domestic violence cases that go unreported.
• Reduce recidivism and homicides by working together to reduce domestic
  violence in our tribal service areas: Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties.

Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior that consists of physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse or assaults committed by one intimate partner against another. Domestic violence often occurs because a partner wants to control the thoughts, beliefs and conduct of his or her significant other.

While domestic violence is directed at a particular victim, everyone suffers – children, families, friends and co-workers. Domestic violence affects our entire community.

Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object.

Everyone deserves a healthy relationship. Each relationship is different, so it can be hard to tell when the line from healthy to unhealthy is crossed.

In a healthy relationship, both partners work together to establish a foundation of trust, honesty and good communication. This foundation allows both partners to feel supported in the relationship and the freedom to voice any concerns.

Relationship abuse occurs in all types of relationships and can sometimes be difficult to recognize. Abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, verbal or emotional. Some behaviors listed below may seem typical of any relationship. An abusive partner uses a pattern of behaviors to gain and maintain power and control. This control gives the abuser special privileges while taking away your choices, equality, and independence.

• Verbal Abuse
• Psychological Abuse
• Resource Abuse
• Sexual or Reproductive Abuse
• Physical Abuse