A voice for the children
Every day I receive hundred of emails after making the decision to publish my email address in Cry Silent Tears and many of those emails are from children who have no place to turn or just need someone to listen. For this reason I have decided to post this section called A voice for the children; a place to sound off or simply feel like your story is being heard I and the readers will hear you.
You can choose how much or how little you write I just want you to know that you are heard and I really do understand. The Foundation of Survivors, the aims and goals, is about becoming a voice for the children; a voice for the abused and mistreated and a refuge from all the pain.
I cannot promise to help everybody as I am but a single being in this life but I can promise that you will be heard and understood. I check this web page several times a day and where possible try to contact the people who need my help.
A voice for the children is a place for you to talk, to verbalise your feelings and know that someone who truly understands your feelings is listening. I am not a social worker, I am a survivor of child abuse and if you are suffering at the hands of someone else then know that I am listening.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
hi, i would just like to say ive just finished your book and think your brilliant for getting through it, i didnt have a very good child either, no where near as bad as yours. my mother died when i was two and had to live with my dad and step mum. nobody new what went on behind closed doors, not even my dad who was allways at work,she died when i was 14 but had allready ruined my soul and body, now im living with all my problems and trying to live in the real world.
like i said it is no where near like what you had to go through but a few thing in the book i could relate to.
i hope you have a happy life from now on.
and remember you are your own person and no matter what anyone tells you they carnt take that away from you.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:01 pm
im 15 years old
the first 5 years of my life was great i had a reali nice childhood
seeing my grandparents (mothers parents) everyday of my life was reali nice
i think i was 5 when things started to become a living hell
i remember my father was in the kitchen with my mother and 1 of my brothers.
I remember my brother saying something to my father and i heard shouting and i ran to see what was going off,i saw my grab my brother by the neck. I just stood and watched as he shouted more and more.
i put my hands over my ears and tears fell down my face i didnt know what to do, at 5 years old you shouldnt watch ur parents do this.
i was scared from that day on, i never saw so much anger or hate before until i saw my fathers face that day.
I still remember it,it wasnt the face that i always had saw before, maybe that was just a show for no one to know what he was reali like.
thats when my life reali turned to a living hell.
for some reason my father had a reason to hate my brother they never got along.
another day they started shouting again then i heard a big bang and ran to see what was happening, my father had my brother on the floor.he was kicking him and punching him.
he stopped when he drow blood.
thats when adam (brother)had enough he moved in with my mums parents.
Thats when he started on the rest of us,he used to hit us for any reason he wanted. even if we was sat down in his seat.
i would run up stairs away from him but he was to fast for me, he grabbed my leg and grabbed a shoe and started hitting me.He didnt care where he hit ,even if he hit us in the face.
another time we was sat in the sitting room, my father was in the other room. there was awindow so he could watch wat we was doing then my father came in and started shouting at my brother tom. my dad grabbed his arm and twisted it and it was so powerful the bone in side snapped.
he went to the hospital and the policewas called cause some one who lived near by said they could hear shouting.
the police questioned my brother but he didnt want to get my father dne cause he said that at a young age akid needs a father in there life.
thomas said to my mum that he would stay with my nan until the arm had got better so that why didnt bang in to it.
But all that mmeant was he didnt want to live at home with my dad there, so he moved in to my nans with adam
everything was the same for years to come.
.
i always thought why would god give some one life to life such life like this.
but god made us to live r own life,it how people make it.
my father called me fat for around a month, every single day.
i just started believing everything he said, thats when i lost loads of weight, i think it must have been about 2 stone.
i doped from a size 10 to a size 4/6.
no one was doing anything tohelp.
i was wearing a skirt and my father put his hand up it and then i turned in shock; all he said was “oh im sorry i thought u was ur mum”
my mum had reali short hair and i had long hair so it couldnt have been my mum in anyway.
some other time after he started lookig down my t-shirts,he wasmuch taller then me.
i just couldnt take any more pain that was going on so i ran to a train track where i nearli ran in front of a train but thats when my life flashed before my eyes the times i spent with my grandad (mums dad) brother he died (23rd january 2002)
and time with my family and friends i was better then this and i thought i could get out of this mess.
things was ok i guess, but my father said if i didnt behave i would go in care and wouldnt beable to see my nan
so i did as he said.
He didnt see hsi parents since apirl 2005, and my father got a phone call saying my nan and grandad was in hospital and that my grandad needed an operation, he shuted down the phone and said
“they r not my fucking parents and i hpe they die”
i stood there in shock.
wat ever my grandparents had dne didnt mean he should say anything like this towards his parents.
then he got another phone call afew days after wards saying that my grandma sadly died on 6th january 2007
thats when my father wanted to go and see my grandad.
the doctors said that on bowing day 2006 my grandad had a 5 hour operation and a 3 hour one the day after.
my dad went to see him on the 15th january 2007 and i went to.
i never saw my grandad like this before he was so skinny and lifeless.
we saw him for about a week before my dad got a phone call saying
“ur father is calling u, he needs you and we dont think he had long to live”.
my father went to the hospital but he was to late my grandad also sadly died 2:40pm 22nd january2007
this meant 3 of my grandparents had died in the same month.
thats when my father got even worse but we stuck it out.
until some time in july 2008 when my dad tired killing my mum not once but twice
and the police arrested him but let him off
they said they cont do anything about it
so im now living in fear of what will happen nexted.
also when i was nearli 13 i was with a family friend well i thought he was.
i was in his flat and he was getting closer to me and i asked why he was doing this but he didnt say anything… thats when he raped me.
i felt ashamed and dirty that everything was happening for a reason.
but that wasnt the only time it happened last time it happened was on 10th july 2008 when my nan came back.
you may be thinking way did i see him again if he did this.
well i didnt say anything to any one about it, he said that he couldnt get introuble, so i thought there was no point.
but i was so emotional i didnt know what to do , a friend asked me why i was like this and it was so hard for me to say anything but i finaly told him but e was only 17 and he said he couldnt do much about it, he said i must tell some one older, someone that could help cause all he could do was be there for me.
i told him that it was so hard tell him this y did i want to tell anyone else but in summer 2008 i was at a ice hockey school and one of my coaches i become close to like a father figer in my life and thats when everything come out.
he said that he wasnt the kind of person i should be telling and that he needed someone with him when i told him more so he got a teacher i came with on the mini bus and they sat and spoke to me but before they spoke to me they said that it had to go to the social workers and th epolice cause i was under 16 they would have to tell my mum also.
i was thinking twice of telling her, but i didnt want this playing on my mind anymore, i wanted my life back.
when my mum heard about it she said it was my fault that i may learn from this
i felt the one to blame tht no one cared.
the man was let off with what he did with me
i now realize that things happen but that doesnt stop u from living your life
i have people that care for me
and i need to think of my school work im in the last year and i have my GCSEs to think about i want to get the grades i need for the job i wannt to do.
not everything u want will happen but if u try then it can happen
may people come and go in this world but ur not the only one with problems and u will never be
so jut keep ur chin up and u will be fine
even if things still happen people r here too help
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
hi my name is kyzzi and i wuold love someone to talk to about my childhood i am 16 and can rel;ate to some of your childhood joe i to was abused by both parents.
all my love kyzzi
xx
September 5th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I don’t know how to word my thoughts properly… But all I can say is I cried reading your book, which I read on holiday. Two days later, drunken mum decided to have an arguement with me that left me crying so hard I couldn’t breathe or shut up. She started asking me if I had a hard life, eyes boring into me but I couldn’t answer, choking and gasping on my words. She lifted your story, told me her life was similar to yours and asked me again if I had a hard life. I shook my head no, still crying but she threw an ashtray, punched the table then turned on me hissing “I’ll show you a hard life.”
I don’t know what to do. I’m scared that this one incident will happen again. She hurt me more emotionally than physically, insulting me. She may have been drunk but I believed every word she said.
I’ve also developed a stutter somehow. It’s like I’m rushing my words out and when I slow down, I can’t get the word out right. And when I get the word wrong, I slap myself multiple times; without meaning to. Wow. I’m a mess… This is my second online rant tonight.
I’ve just sat back and wondered why I’m writing this. I’m hardly a child… in my eyes haha… at 15… I’m terrified of my mother coming upstairs to have another hard-life-rant. She’s always had these rants since the David Pelzer books…
I don’t know what to do. Teachers are useless at helping me. Friends are sympathetic and lovely to talk to but it doesn’t change anything. I’ve run away twice only to be dragged back where my brothers blamed me for everything and wouldn’t leave me alone. I can’t cope with the smallest things. My friends call me “Tender”. I’m failing school. Nevermind grades– I AM a failure. I should be stronger than this and I’m just not. I’m being the baby my mother told me I was. I’ve had an EASY life. I’m complaining about nothing. I’m guilty for feeling like this. I’m tired of being a burden. That “baby” that “worthless, selfish, critical, nasty b****.” I told my mum I can’t cope anymore and she told me if I wanted to kill myself, go ahead, she wasn’t going to stop me. “It’s your life.” Fair enough. I should just give up.
Besides this long winded rant of nothingness, I apologise. I shouldn’t post this but I will. Because I didn’t give myself fingertip ache for nothing… right?
I’m sorry Joe. I’m sorry you had to go through what you did. I sometimes have to remind myself reading your book that it’s not just a made-up story, that you’ve actually been there. I wish you a very happy future. You totally deserve it. <3
September 6th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Hi,
I would like to respond to Nat please, but really this is a message to everyone who is going through abuse; be it sexual/physicial/emotional/mental. ALL ABUSE IS WRONG.
Nat, reading between the lines, its seems to me that your mother may have experienced abuse of some description as a child. However, this does not make it right what she is doing to you.
Like you, I had a parent who displayed “symptoms” of having been abused themselves as a child. At first I used to try to “make allowances” for what was happening, as I used to think “poor them, they had a hard life”. But this DOES NOT excuse the pain or fear that they are inflicting on you. It just doesnt make sense to me, how someone who has been abused and knows the pain and suffering it causes, can then go on to abuse themselves.
As I say, I am only reading between the lines with regards to your mother’s own childhood, it may be that she wasnt abused and the alchol is playing a major part in her behaviour. That is irrelevant, whatever, she has no right to treat you this way.
Nat, please do not think that you are worthless, selfish, nasty or whatever else she may have you beleive about yourself. You are a human being, who feels pain and who needs to feel love and to give love. Please dont give up. Please if there is anyone you can talk to, then please do so. Even if you come on here and rant and I will reply to you as often as I can.
I was made to feel worthless and selfish and a burden and that no one would ever love me, but I know none of these things are true. I am a good person, and although it was hard I always had hope, and I have come out the other side, and now I have my own family whom I love and who I know loves me so very much.
Please dont think that your suffering is any less than others, because ALL abuse is wrong and any form of abuse can cause immense psychological damage to a person. What you are going through is wrong but I hope you find the strength and courage to know that you will come through the other side and not to let your mother break your spirit.
I’m sorry my words havent come out that well. I know what I want to say, I just find it hard to put into words.
What I will say to you though Nat, and everyone suffering abuse is PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE.
My thoughts are with you all
Lee
x
September 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hi
I have Just finished reading ‘Cry silent Tears’ and was totally horrified at what i read, it makes me sick to the core that such cruelty is suffered. I have worked in childcare and attended child abuse courses (ie: what to look for in a child, the signs) and unfortunately did have cause to report some to social services). I thank god you have found happiness at last and know you will cherish your new life with your wife and children. God bless you Joe.
love Sandra xxxxx
September 11th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I am 13 years old and my dad and older brother keeps touching me and brother has raped me twice and i scared of saying anything, i love my dad i feel dirty and i do not no who to turn to, the police wont believe me coause there a lot of kids on they dont beleve them and i dont want my mum to hate me. wot shall ido joe, can u help me. can i email u i dont trust the npscc or that childline
September 11th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Samantha what is happening to you is wrong sweetie, but it is not your fault, you are most certainly not dirty nor have you done anything to derserve this, it iss your Father and brother who are wrong and ‘dirty’. Like you I was sexually abused by my Dad, and like you I loved him but hated what he did to me, its so confusing, I was scared that my mum would hate me, and my Dad would always tell me it was our secret, she wouldnt understand!! You have your whole life ahead of you honey, dont let these men ruin it for you, you can survive, dont le them destroy you. I am who I am despite what happened to me, not because of it. Im proud of you for writing on Joe’s site honey, stay safe and stay strong. Sending you loads of love and hugs xxxxxxxxx
September 11th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Samatha,
Please e-mail me, if you feel uncomfortable talking me (you may talk to my wife) please e-mail us with any number that we can get you on, this will be on your terms, I understand what difficulties you in, please, please get back to me and we will respond to you. (we will do our very best for you and make sure your safe, we will not do anything your not comfortable with and we can talk lots by e-mail if you cannot get us a number to ring on).
September 16th, 2008 at 9:10 am
In response to Lee,
I’ve found some form of help in The Samaritans, a group of volunteers trained to take phonecalls and emails from distressed people, even people who are on the verge of suicide. I’m too scared to meet them in real life though.
Running away felt like the best option, the best thing to do at the time. I felt free, and that nothing could stop me. Until the police were called and I was bundled on back home where I was made to feel like I wasn’t part of the family at all, dirty looks and questions as to whether I thought I was clever doing such a ***** thing. I even made my mum’s boyfriend cry. It was an awkward moment.
I’m forever being told that I spend too much time upstairs… but that’s just what I prefer to do. The last time I went ‘outside’ or whatever I managed to get myself a boyfriend, who only wanted me for one thing and I was almost stupid enough to give it to him. I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of for my naivity. I thought he cared.
From what I’ve heard my mum was abused as a child, and from what I’ve heard and what she’s guilt-tripped me with… I do indeed have the ‘easy life’. I feel crappy everytime she reminds me.
Sure enough, I’m sixteen in three weeks. She makes me scared of growing up. What’s the point to life if we’re going to grow up to financial stress and all that. The disadvantages outweigh the benefits it seems; everytime my mum tells me what being older is all about. It just makes me not want to grow up at all.
I’ve told her I feel like ending my life, in tears, three times. Each time she’s mocked me for it and told me to get a grip, that her life was harder. That if anyone needed a doctor it was her. That if I wanted to die, it wasn’t her place to stop me.
She makes me feel unloved and like a burden to the family even though I know she loves me. I want her to treat me fairly but she ends up getting worse…
September 19th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
In response to Nat
Nat sweetheart, dont ever think that life is all crap, Joe and myself can assure you that we have a lovely life even after going through years of abuse. Granted mine was not as bad as Joes in my eyes but whos to say whos was worse. Just because your mom was abused as a child does not give her the right to abuse you, mental abuse is wrong if not worse than any of the other abuse i suffered. You are here for a reason to help others maybe to live love and learn that life is not as bad as your mom makes out. It has always been a wish of mine to have a very large house that is a safe haven for kids like you, so i could show them what a careing enviroment is like, but ive come to realize that i cant save everyone much to my frustration, but if ever you want to talk, contact Joe or me we will listen. Please dont hurt yourself, or beat yourself up for picking the wrong guy to care about, there are plenty of nice guys out there trust me i found one. Your mom has not learned yet that she can be a survivor, it is much easier to be a victim, keep strong honey, the people who says nasty things about you are just projecting their hurt and anger onto you as they dont know how to deal with it, you are not a bad person believe me, you have your whole life ahead of you to find out that i am right, you may have downs but there is good out there hun and lots of it. I know your proberly thinking i dont know what im talking about but trust me you can do it, i know you can, and dont belittle what your feeling, your feeling do count.
take care sweetheart, Love an hugs xxxxxx
October 1st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Hi, ive just finished your book “cry silent tears” and i want to say that im very sorry for the hurt and pain that you had to go through and that my heart goes to you. You are a very sensible and a decent man to have to put up with such evil treatment and that should not have happend to you because you did not deserve any of it at all!, i hope you all the best for the future :), take care xxxx
October 12th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
this message is for samantha lewis what your brother and dad are doing to you isnt right i no you dont feel strong to talk to somebody or to get anybody in to trouble but you need to tell some body even if you think your mum will be mad but darling she wont be what your dad and brother are doind it is wrong and daddys and brothers are not allowd please tell your mum what they are doing to you lots of hugs xx
October 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Jus thought I’d drop you a line.
Joe, I really admire you for getting yourself through all the pain and emotional damage of your childhood, I’ve read a few books of this nature, but yours particularly pulled on my heart strings and inspired me to want to help people to through similar things. I think you are fantastic and it must have taken an awful lot of courage to share your story with the world and get through it to where you are today, I really do respect you for that. You are very lucky to have found your soul mate, its clear to see that no matter what goes on, a happy ending is possible!
I’ve not experienced anything like you or that I know others have, and still are to this day. It saddens me to think that there are people out there who can do such things as if its nothing, and causing such immense pain and suffering to all involved! I hope that someday I can be there for people just like you and offer the support your wife has to you and you both are now by this site, helping one person would mean there would be one less person suffering in silence out there.
Setting up this website is a fantastic idea. I am 17 and studying my A levels at my local High School Sixth Form, I am a trained Peer Supporter and offer my ear whenever possible. My mum also works at the high school, running a student support centre, where she has many young people coming to her from within the school and has worked with many students who are having trouble a suffering many forms of abuse. I know how hard it must be making that first connection to speak up about things like these, but things can only get better. And turning points like that happen because of the bit of hope for a way out.
No one deserves such pain, no one chooses this suffering, its unfair and cruel.
I’m proud of you Joe for surviving such horrific events, and you give other people who know your story bit of hope to make it through!
Thoughts with you all, Kirsty xXxXxXx
October 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I have read a few of these post and feel I should also put a bit of my child hoos on the website. Reading Joe’s book utterly broke me to know that so many people suffer suc bad abuse at any age….it is wrong and I feel strongly that it should be stopped though people in higher positions never seem to fully grasp this. Ever since I was a youn child I remember nothing really except from arguing. With regards to material posessions I was a spoilt child….for every thing my father broke or smashed either in front of me or on me I always got twice as much back….this has effected me in a very immaturewhen and I ate to admit even at the age of 18 I get mardy if I do not get what I want. My father, I remember always had a bad temper…hehad even attacked my mother the night before there wedding…resulting in a broken hand! I can not remember which memory comes first, I just remember some, I dont even remember how I felt at the time…though I can guess! I remember seeing my father smashing a tray over my mothers face, resulting in my mother getting a broken jaw…in the end we ended up being an isolating family as no one wanted to be known as involved with such a vioent perfetic family. I remember being dragged up the stairs by my father with my hair…as reaching my room he picked me up and the hardest I beileve he pysically could of…he chucked me on the wall & I bounced off onto my bed waking up moments later feeling winded & confused at why it had happened…I believe I must of only been about 8 years old. My mother was also a lady with some power behind her self…though she always showed love & I truley believe she never meant any thing she did…my father had countless affairs & my childhood was very confusing…The violence my father showed was mainly to my mother…and even at the youngest age I woul stick up for my mother up until I was ither knocked out or my mother was. I recall any a times going into my mother in thebathroom and asking how she had gotted all the bruises over her legs…” I fell down the stairs”, “I walked into the door” were some of theexuses I was told…but even as a seven year old I was never fooled by these. As a result of my family life I was very distubtive at school and failed every exam…was very violent towards other students & teachers…I have a brother who foun him self moving o the navy to run from the family life and the drugs he had gotten him self into…he has ow come out ut suffers terribly with commitment & has never held onto any relationship he has been in..he has recently met his girlfriend who is lovely and I hope he manages to find the corage to trust this one…Myself, I try not to show thatmy past has effected me though it has,…My temper is very bad & my partner has a lot to deal with with my vicious attacks…I live with my father & his fiance & my mother is married to a lovely man and she seems to finally be happy…Living with my fathr is not exactly where I want to be…and his fiance makes it clar she is not fond of me..but I put on the best smil I can and aim to move in with my partner & begin my own life…My expirences are nothing compared to what Joe Peters has been through but I hope that some one will read his and see…whether you have suffered a lot or a little it can still effect you…but you can come through with a smile….fid love happeness and success like I did and be happy with your self!!!
November 13th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
hi joe. i just want to say your dad would be so proud of you for getting through all you have over the years, i cant emagine all the pain you have been through. i only bourt you book last night and have allready read it (not had a wink of sleep)lol loads of tears and i really do fell ur pain i was abused from a younge age mentaly fisicaly and sexual for 9 years day in day ouyt of the one person who i thourt was my daddy, when i first got touched i spoke out and wasnt belived by social services and soon has they said nothing had happened it carried on for years i never spoke a word to anyone what he was repetly doing to me has i new no one would belive me he did some terble things to me and there still coming back now the memorys things i put to the back of my mind! when my mum finally had anothe of all her beatings she left him it was the best day of my life but i was still scared she would want him back but dhe didnt thank god, i finally spoke out when i meet my soul mate mat and told him everything i did remeber then i fell pregnant with my first child and didnt have the courage to tell the police till i had my lil man, when i finally did tell them they belived me all the way and i went to court with just my word against his after my second lil man and i had no evedince and he got 50+years and has to surve 10 and a half which is nothing to what i went through i think you should reall try and do something about what happened to you they will be more children who are still suvering at the hands of them same people, i really want to help all these children who are so silent when they should be speaking out about what they are being put thourgh i really want to do something but i dont no what yet! i wish you all the happyness after everything u have been through (and i no the pain never goes away )be nice to hear from you and sorry about all the spelling mastics i didnt learn much at school neither all my love stacey xxx
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I feel so bad…for ever thinking I hated my life and for hurting myself wishing it wasnt true.I knew that there were people that had worse lifes than me every day but when i was busy arguing and feeling sorry for myself it never seemed to matter.Im crying now even though i know it cant help the children out there that are being abused but im so sorry. I cried reading the book and couldnt stop myslef feeling so bad. I saved up for the book as from the back i could see it looked a good read.
Growing up my dad abused me and my mum when finally he ran away with not wanting anything to do with us anymore. My mum meet someone knew who has never been the farther figure i wanted i should say.I lived with my grandad for ages before he sadly died for no reason. I then as back with my mum and him who has a very bad temper.I have never been abused so it left marks which makes me feel really bad for ever thinking im bad off. I argue ever day,all day…its turned me into a child who has a really short temper and i hate it.Ive only ever been kicked or slapped, minor injures.
Well done in publishing your book…Dunno who you did it.You are an amaizing person who everyone would be proud of let alone your Dad.Your children are gunno grow up to be like you and people will inspire to be like.Your future is what you make it, your book has taught be that and im so thankful. Everyone who reads your story will agree how much an amazing person you are…u should be in world records for helping and touching so many peoples hearts.XXXK**
November 24th, 2008 at 1:09 am
my first memory , sitting in my bedroom, I can even remember what wallpaper I had on my walls, where the bed was and that I had one doll and not much else, My dad had been drilling and I collected some of the saw dust up in my bedroom too feed to my doll, My dad came in and belted the living day lights out of me for doind so, I was only 4.
my dad was an alcoholic bully, constantly belittling my mum either violently or mentally.
I was a daddys girl, but not like most daddies girls. it just means my dad wasnt as hard on me as he was on my mum or my brother, in which they resented me for.
one of myother memories, involvd my bro, my dad and my unlce standing outside my nans door and lifting my brother up and down by his hair, he was bright red in the face screaming his heart out, he was 6, I remember standing there in fear thinking I am glad thats not me, my brother grew up, he was distructive, naughty, violent, he wet the bed until he was 16 and noone ever questioned it, we would get beaten with a belt, garden cane, stick slipper hand fist what ever came to hand, my mum was tougher on me to compensate my brother getting it worse from my dad.
Iwas belittled, called fat all the time, humiliated, until my brother started boxing and then my dad loved him and was proud of him, then encouraged my brother to use me as a punch bag, I dont want to go on into any more details, I buried them along time ago now to be draged up any more,
but if you are a victim of abuse you can change the life you were born into, sadly my brther didnt, he still is a messed up now as he was then, I changed my cycles, and it wasnt easy, but I did it, I am haunted by my childhood and although people know bits, they dont know the half of it.
I always wanted to write a book but until I know how my story ends and whether I can really changed my conditioning and believe in myself, then its not worth reading.
I want the confidence to study to be a child psycologist, I wold love to reach out the vunerable children and help them help themselves, I just dont believe enough in myself that I can do it.
no body is a failure, you all have the will to succeed and I believe you can only go as far as you are willing to push.
I have met lots of people in mylife time that promise you the stars but deliver ash,
to everyone that visits this website, with their own story to tell, just remember one thing you have the power within you to change any situation you find yourself in, you are strong and you can survive.
please do not become a victim of abuse, become a survivor.
November 30th, 2008 at 1:37 am
hi joe.i have just finished reading `cry silent tears` and usually i don`t do this because i am never very good with words and saying what i want to.although i am now 27 with 3 beautiful daughters.things were hard when i was young.an uncle of mine court my dad shaking me when i was 6weeks old but because no-one else saw it it got ignored so up untill i was 13 he kept hitting me when no one was around.i was to scared to tell my mum but my brother new and he tryed his best to protect me.it left me with no confidence at all so i can`t stand up for myself in any way.i tryed to fight back a few years ago but at the then age of 25 he hit me again just like when i was a kid.so i never tryed again.my problem now is that he lives just round the corner from me and sometimes comes round to my house havin been drinking and trys to pick up my youngest children.3 yrs old and 9mth old.although i try to protect my children the best i possibly can i just can`t find it in me to tell him to get out.im scared of what may happen.i have a partner who i tell everyting to but i won`t let him do anything because i`m worried that it will be him that ends up getting arrested or something and dad getting away with it as usuall.over the last 2 years i have had to try and find my strong side because as well as bringing up my children i am also looking after my fiance`, he has cancer and is going through alot of treatment.in saying that visitng your website has made me think i`m going to have to stand up to dad i get him out of my life,so i can be happy with whatever time i have left with my fiance` and never have to worry about my father again. i wish you and your family all the very best for the future,and thank you.you have helped me alot..x
March 28th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Hey Joe.
You are a true inspiration to all these people, im 13 and your book was truly horrifying, you are a true legend, and joe your dad would be proud and you are such a strong man , i hope you live the rest of your life in happiness, your amazing ! A VERY BIG WELL DONE for plucking up the courage to write this book . God Bless You Joe, well done for making it where you are now, and like i said your dad would be very proud of you and he loves you still lotss, x
lovee Abbie x x
June 9th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I suspected abuse a few weeks ago when I saw this little girl had bruises on her arms and legs,the man she was with kept kicking her while she was walking with him. No one seemed to care. I did not know any child abuse telephone numbers for help so instead I called the police and they took matters in their own hands. I felt so scared for the little girl she looked so thin and all bruised up I seriously wanted to kidnapp her and run away. Few days later this was in the Polish news paper and the man turned out to be her stepfather, he for 30 years in prison, but I still believe he should of got life in prison. So anyone who feels they need help do not be afraid to talk to Joe or his wife they will help you. Most children are too scared to talk to any one because of what their abusers might of told them, they should not be afraid they are not alone.