The news of the senseless homicide of Dianne Silveira of Taunton allegedly at the hands of her husband on Sunday, August 29, 2021, has profoundly saddened all of us at the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS).

Our thoughts are with Dianne’s family, friends, loved ones, and all those mourning her death. We are in touch with local domestic violence organizations and have offered our services and language capacity to assist in any way we can.

As we learn more about this tragedy in our community, we urge everyone to be active bystanders and never ignore the signs of a violent domestic relationship – extreme jealousy, possessiveness, controlling and demeaning behavior, harassment, humiliation, etc.

It is crucial that all of us listen to and support victims without judgment when they reach out, and that we never underestimate a cry for help.

This sad event also reminds us that domestic violence can occur in many different relationships and contexts, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, financial situation, or level of education.

It highlights the extreme importance of continuing to educate our communities on what constitutes domestic violence, how to prevent it, and where to access help and resources.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. To access help and resources regarding domestic violence and learn more about the MAPS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program, please click here.