Joe:- APOLOGIES to Readers and Supporters
Dear Friends,
I have recently neglected my blogs this is due to the fact that I have been very ill and still struggling to deal with this long term illness that is seriously effecting my work, I would like to thank all my readers and supporters for you wonderful help and support.
I will be taking a step back from my work, but will never stop advocating and fighting for children and will try my very best for children worldwide. Please continue to help me and make awareness of child abuse, I will try to complete a full blogg when I have a good day.
God Bless
Joe x
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 pm
That’s why…we were missing you in the webpage…and we all hope you get totally recovered soon. Hope some of the light you bring us with your unvaluable job would mean a big fo company, lots of love, xxxxxxxxxxxx
April 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Dear Joe
what can i say . had your book brought for me as a mothers day treat .
It made me cry get cross and leave me shouting why keep going back but that is easy for me to say.
i would like to thank you for such a fantastic book and yes i will be reading the next one very soon ,
when a child is screaming out who really wants to listen its to much paper work and red tape .
take care and once again thank you sheila xxxxxxxx
April 7th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Take care,
No words can describe what you have done, You really are inspriational, I look up to you loads, Thank you so much. X
April 8th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
just finished reading your book..you are such a brave man ..good luck with you future…i know you have one ..x
April 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I started your book this morning and have read it cover to cover already!! I could not put it down - I am astounded you managed to survive those terrible years of your youth and think you must be a very strong person. I hope feel well soon. Love to you, your wife and children. Will buy the new book as soon as it is released.
April 12th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
ive just finished reading your book cry silent tears i feel so sad that any child should endure what you have been through i know you are going to be very happy in the future i wish you all the best hope you are feeling better good luck xxx
April 15th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I bought your book and read it in 24 hours as I could not put it down. It is so hard to believe that those things could have been allowed to happen to you and no one ever looked for you when you were in the cellar. I would like to say the response of the social services and authorities who should have been protecting you shocked me but sadly it is all too common even now for signs to be ignored and the word of the adult taken above that of the child. I cant beleive no one physically examined you when you were brave enough to speak out at the police station, surely there would of been enough evidence there alone. I am so sorry that you suffered alone for all those years and for the cruelty inflicted on your younger brother. I am even more saddened that this sort of thing is still taking place all over the world and so glad that you survivived and are able to help others to survive.
Best wishes for the future xxx
April 17th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi Joe,ive just finished reading your book with tears streaming down my face.I cannot begin to imagine the torture you were put through or how you summoned the courage to survive that whole ordeal.I feel your pain in my heart and I wanna reach out to you and tell you just how special you are.I work in a childrens care home and its hard to imagine what ordeals they have been through to make them the way they are.Moreover,its even more difficult to know whether the parents/carers are truely telling the truth about the reasons for their childrens.You should have been able to turn to your mother and have been treated with an unconditional love that no other could give.Instead she made you feel degraded and useless and she made your father out to be a monster.You know now only to well that shes the degrading one and that your father was a kind,gentle loving father who would never have let her and those other monstes treat you the way they did,had he been alive.He would have been there to protect you and keep you safe,like he tried to before his tragic accident.If he was here today he would be proud of you,just as I am.Im sure just like your own father you have been and will continue to be a perfect parent to your own children.Its so great you survived that whole torture and that you can now give love to your own family in a way you never dreamed possible.Hope you get well soon.Keep smiling and I hope you,your wife and children have all the love/happiness you deserve.Love to you and God bless michelle x
April 17th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
The statement: Moreover,its even more difficult to know whether the parents/carers are truely telling the truth about the reasons for their childrens,should have also said: behaviour and anger.What I mean by this is that it is not always easy to detect if children are telling the truth.Just as your mother made it out to look like you were the problem and how she showed to be a kind mother to those in authority could be happening right under my nose with those in my care.However,your book will now help me to realise that everyone should be listened to and that investigations should take place no matter what.I also meant to say I hope Thomas is doing well.Take care Michelle X
April 19th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Hi Joe,
I have just finished reading your book. Your strength is truly remarkable. I work with Young People who have been through the care system, I try my hardest to understand their situtions and try to make a differene in their lives but the only people who truly understand the pain and suffering are people like yourself who have already been through a similar experience. I find it so hard to take that your suffering was not ended sooner but I find your strength of character so endering and I believe it was that alone that made you survive such a terrible childhood. I wish you & your family happiness and Get well soon. Kind Regards, Nicola x
April 20th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Hi Joe, I just finished reading your book yesterday. Once I had started, I could not put it down. Being a mother of 2 myself, I can’t bring myself to imagine how a mother could treat her children the way your mother treated you and Thomas. I pictured you suffering throughout your childhood years and that brought tears to my eyes…you have been so strong and i’m sure that you will be an inspiration to others. I also hope that your story and your work will help other children who are being abused. How r u now? I’m so happy to hear that you’ve got a loving family. But what about your health? Are you ill because of the physical abuse that you had to go through? Take care and keep the faith. Get well soon
April 20th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Your book has made me find something in myself i never new was there. i read it and im now training in child physcology and social work to try be one of the workers that can help in situations where others give up. your an inspiration to everyone and i hope your story helps others walk away from a situation like that. its amazing how you have turned your life around. you have gained an amazing amount of respect for everything you have done. Take Care xx
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:31 am
Hi Joe! my name is susana am portuguese, am 35 years, and i just finnised reading your book, in 24 hours
i live in london, i also run away from home, also i ve been abused by my two cousins, and verbally and physicall abused by my parents being beaten was “normal”, leaving in constant fear also!
i know your pain..
and they trying of breaking the mind and soul.. first time in my life that am seeking help for my anger issues, i rather die that became one of them
good luck in your journey
hope that same children are able to fall asleep with fairy tales, and not crying with pain and fear, with your help
god bless you
susana
xx
April 24th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Hi joe, I have just put your book down after getting it from the libary yesterday. It brought tears to my eyes and left me feeling angry that everyone you should have been able to trust, had betrayed you and caused you so much pain and misery. I will never understand how anyone could hurt a child nevermind their own mother who should want to die to protect her children. I worked for social services for 15 years with adults suffering with mental health problems and found that many clients had in their past had suffered from some form of abuse. I am relieved to read that you got away from these monsters and happy to know you found your lovely Michelle, your soulmate which has brought you happiness and 5 beautiful children. You deserve all the luck in the world.
Joe your father adored and loved you very much and he seemed a wonderful father who protected you he will be very proud of you and he wont be hurting anymore and can rest in peace.
Hope you are feeling well soon. I admire you for speaking out and writing it must be difficult for you but you are a strong person your a survivor.
God bless you joe and not forgetting your brother Thomas hope he has found happiness.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
April 26th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
hi joe, i have wrote to you before, i have read your book an i to have been at the hands of abuse, you are an amazing person, an i would love to help in some way with what you do, i will be making a donation to you an if there is anything else i can do, im here. im sorry to hear about your ill health, do you mind me asking what is wrong? all the best amy x
April 27th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Hi..
i wasnt sure i wanted to read ur book my nan and mom both told me not to see im 19 and i was sexually abused by my farther when i was 6 untill the age of 13.. since than i have not really been able to stick at anything i have anger managment and councilling once a week..im glad i decided to go against them and read ur book it has gave me so much hope because the things you went through was beyond terrible and you now have a family and children and an amazing future.. i hope more people who have suffured from abusive and sexual punishment will read this because you are a credit to the world! xxx
May 13th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Bought your book from a car boot sale on Sunday, have nearly finished it, just reading in my breaks at work. I have cried and become very angry with the system, I know that other children are suffering and we must put a stop to it, they are innocent and don’t aks to be born. You are such a brave and inspirational person, I am so sorry to hear about you having ill health, I wish you love and good health. Marian x
May 13th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Hello Joe,
I also have just read your book and just feel such intense horror and astonishment at the treatment you received. All I kept thinking was, not everyone is like your mother and those horrible men associated with her. If I could have been there I would have gladly protected you along with the thousands of other children that are suffering from this type of treatment right now. I hate the feeling of being powerless. You are truly a strong man now and can make sure your children are loved and cared for the way you should have been. Keep strong Joe. A lot of people care about you xxxxxx
May 14th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Dear Joe, I e-mail you when I read cry silent tears,I have just read cry myself to sleep,again I must say ou are an insiration to everyone on the planet. A very good friend of mine is currently trying to adopt her two grandchildren,who were abused by their mother. The social work dept and the court system in scotland are a joke.She has recently joined a grandparents forum and will be speaking at thier annual debate about the baby p case. We believe that the commities set up to protect children should be people like yourself, carers and grandparents who deal with with children every day.Also that funding to help these children is constantly being cut, this is not exceptable.I will send what I can to our foundation as soon as i can joe, so keep up the good work.
June
May 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Hi,
Started ‘Cry silent tears’ at 9am while still in bed, have just finished it 3 hours later ! I am an avid reader and have read many books on the subject of child abuse but this book was something else. I found I almost detached myself from the words I was reading finding them more horrific than any I have read before, but on reaching the last page I felt the tears and was sobbing by the last line, probably at the sheer relief that you had survived against all odds.
A couple of times in my life I have met a person who for one reason or another has made an impact on my life forever. I will never forget the book I once read about a little boy called Joe Peters.
One line in your book that stuck in my head was ‘why teach me to speak when no one wants to listen’. To me those few words really sum up the problems within the care system.
I have the greatest respect for the ongoing work you are doing and wish you all the best for a happy future as a family. As the previous post says, you are a credit to the world xx
May 19th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
hi joe, i have nearly read your book {cry silent tears} i realy dont think i can read anymore every page makes me cry. it is just unberleavable the things you have been through. people thing they have sufferd in there life which nearly everyone has from time to time but it realy does not compare to the things that happend to you.after reading it {nearly all of it} it has given me hope for me to get on with my life and be happy now an for that id like to thank you. i just hope you have children of your own because you would be an amazing farther just like yours was an mine is to me. i am going to finish it toniight because i have read some comments and am very intreeged now to see if you have a happy ending i truely hope so very much. i will be donating very soon. god bless you joe
May 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
i have just finished reading your book “Cry silent tears” and wanted to let you kow that it touched me greatly. i have been subjected to various forms of abuse from the age of 3 up to the age of 22. i went to London to get away from it all but found that the problems follow especialluy when you live with family. i am back in my home country and see my abuser most days which at present i am unable to avoid. i still cringe and cower when i see him and i hate him beyond words. i take my hat off to you for all the courage you have and the inspiration that you have been and i know will still be to others. i am a qualified nurse and would love to be involved with helping other sufferers of abuse, but i am not sure if my wounds have healed enough uin order to be a great enough assest.
i wish you and your family all the happiness and love that you so rightly deserve and i pray that your health improves so that you may live a long and prosperous life.
All the best and thank you for being brave enough to share your story with others…
May 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
dear joe so sorry to hear you are unwelli read your first book an part of me didnt want to go on reading but i had to and cant beliveve what you went through i have just started reading cry myself to sleep and i think iwill after reading all what you have gone through you are a fighter.and god bless to you.xx
May 26th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Hi Joe
May God help you to recover soon. God Bless
May 27th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I have just finished reading your book…. it was incredible!! couldn’t believe that someone who had came through soooo much made it in the end. You truly are amazing. I don’t know how you managed living your young life locked in the basement for so long. It must have been hell knowing there was no way out… but eventually, you made it. I cannot wait until your second book is out. god bless you xxx
May 27th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I have just spent the last 3 hours reading “Cry Silent Tears” from cover to cover and I am in a state of shock. How strong and resilient the human spirit can be when pushed to the limit. You are an inspiration to so many people who have been in the same position as you, I am sure. Good luck to you and you family and I hope that you can make your way back again to us…..Thank you xx
May 31st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Dear Joe,
take care and god bless
love,
veronica
June 1st, 2009 at 10:35 am
Hi Joe
I have just read your book, I have read many of these types of books but this hit hard. I loved reading the book even though I found it hard to read if that makes sense. I was shocked and still am that any mother could treat her child like this. I am now a mum to a 16 month old boy and all I want to do is protect him and love him and look after him. I think you are a very brave man and think your kids are very lucky to have you. We constantly read stories like this and time and time again no help is given when you can clearly see something is not right. I just don’t get it.
So pleased you came out the end and now are trying to help others.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
My heart goes out,not only to you, but to all children who are,or have been abused. I think all of us, at least one time in our lives, has been in the company of a “problem child” and not stopped to think why they are like they are. You have made me stand up and take notice. Joe, I hope you have a “good day” soon and make a full recovery.
Take it easy.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
i think i buy books of real life abuse as i myself have been through child abuse.
i had never felt so alone as when i was going through hurt like that and in my case its still severly affects my life and i dont know if i will ever get over it.
all i can do is livewith it and try to focus on being an adult,as well as a mother and wife.
i sincerly hope my comment reaches you well and my love to you and your family..
you deserve so much for what you have worked for.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Hi Joe
I jus read your book and thought it was amazing, i cant’t belive what you went through and so happy that u have moved on from it. it lets a lot of readers no what the world is really like and i bet you are making a reali big change to people’s lives. Hope you get well soon xx
June 9th, 2009 at 8:37 am
ONLY FINISHED 3/4 OF BOOK AND ALREADY THINK YOU ARE SOOOO BRAVE.THE HORRIBLE THINGS THAT GO ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!XX
June 9th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hello Joe,
I just finished reading your book today and it touched me deeply. I love children more than anything in the world and knowing what you went through made me so sad and angry. Those people who did bad things to you do not deserve to live. You are an amazing person for fighting for other children to be protected. I always dreamed of becoming a social worker because I can’t bare to watch so many children being sent back to abuse homes even thou they have injuries just like baby P had. I would never send a child to an abusive home. They should take a child out of harms way not return it to dangour. My channel on youtube is dedicated to an angel who unfortunetly died from child abuse she was only 3 years old http://www.youtube.com/user/ILoveKelseyBriggs she in on my background channel. She was truly beautiful, after hearing her story I knew I had to do something to save innocent children like her. Children can be too young to speak up to people so we have to do that for them. I really hope you get well soon. You have five children which is amazing. I wounder if having five children is hard work because maybe one day I will have that many :). I feel like I can just pour out my feelings here about children, because my mum thinks I have an obssesion with anything to do with saving children from child abuse she claims I don’t laugh much because of it lol.
Much Love Jessie xxx
June 10th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Hi Joe
I have just finished reading your book and cannot imagine the pain and heartache that you went through. I had a good childhood and as the mother of three grown children cannot comprehend how a mother could be so inhuman. I am sorry to hear that you are poorly and hope that you are well again soon. It is wonderful that you have a soulmate and five children and a happy family life - something you deserve. I am sorry that you have no contact with Wally or your sister and very little with Tom but not everyone has the capacity as you did to come through such a truly horrendous ordeal. I got really angry and full of vengeance towards your hateful brothers, mother and others and wanted them all to feel the pain that you did, I hope that justice prevailed. Take care and god bless you.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Joe, I have read your book “Cry Silent Tears” and was never so moved by any other book in my life as I was with yours! I could not put this book down nor forget it. It’s something no child should experience in their innocent little precious life. What captivated me in reading your book was the cover and the title of the book – it grab me immediately!
I have a grand-niece (3 years old) whom I love very much and all I kept doing is picking her up and hugging her – I love her to death! You’re right, people in authority let you down – even though I don’t have any children of my own, I do know one thing. Children that young don’t lie, they don’t know how to and if that child is withdrawn and/or quite, then there’s something wrong. If they would have examined you thoroughly, they might have found something – there were many, many clues along the way regardless how convincing your mother was!
This woman did not deserve the title “Mother” – that’s not what God intend a mother to be! They say that when you ask God to help you and you feel he hasn’t – it’s not because he has forgotten you, it’s because he has a better plan for you! I LOVE YOU JOE, you the child I never had!
God bless you and your family and I wish you get better so that you are able to continue with the great work you’re doing. Love, peace, health and happiness to you and yours!
From my heart to yours, Maria!
June 10th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Dear joe
I am only 13 and i have been reading your book i have read books like the boy called it but i have never read a book as bad as what you had to goo through. I still have 100 pages left to read and i cant put the book down its so addictive.I have never even thought of abuse that can be that bad, but i think you are a very brave man !! and where a very brave child. Your book has made me cry alot,.x When i have read the rest of the book to find out what else happens i wil write back to you and tell you my other thoughts.
I have known of a child that something has happend to no quit like yours but something was the same . x
I am very looking forward to getting your others books!! and i will
To a amazing person from only a young girl x
June 15th, 2009 at 8:39 am
joe, we are only 13 and we have finished your book,
we have read your book and i was nearly in tears just reading the blurb.
you are such a brave and strong man and we am happy for you that you have picked yourself up and have done something good for children out there.
it has brought tears to our eyes all the way through and we will be getting your other book.
You are an amazing man,
from amy and laura
xxxxx
June 16th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
hi joe,i have just returned from a holiday,the resort where i staye had a library so i decided to borrow a couple of books whilst sunbathing.cry silent tears and i presume the follow up.i cannot say that it was an enjoyable read as the abuse you suffered at the hands of your family was the worst i have ever heard of in my life.i recognised alot of your feelings as i too was physically,sexually and mentally abused and no one can explain until it has happened to them.i have 3 children who i absolutely adore and my youngest is only 5,which made your story more poignant for me,as i couldnt imagine him suffering at his age,the way you have.i just felt as if i wanted to reach out and hold you,it really moved me to tears your story.my mother was also very cruel,(my father passed away when i was 10),he was also a wonderful man,then she married a monster.who she still is with to this day.i have not seen her for 23 years,not wishing too either.i was also born in 1973,in those days alot of abused kids were ignored and i do believe that now,things are coming to light more,although a lot of work till needs to be done.i have the utmost admiration for you,as you,as i have,have moved on and made something of your life against the terrible odds.that makes us very special strong people.i am so glad you found you soulmate in your wife and that you have five wonderful children,its the best feeling in the world.your father will be so proud of you,as i know my dad is.i now work with the homeless and young people who stuggle to find there way in life and i love it!! it is so rewarding.keep up the good work joe,i sincerely hope you are feeling better soon and hope you manage to read my comment.best wishes to you and your family.
god bless x
June 16th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Hey even thou you are taken a step back from work i just wanted too let you know that your an incrdiable man,i found so much emotions inside i didnt know i had or could have for a stranger..My mind was in overdrive when i’d go to bed thinking abt u as a child and on the streets and just glad your life turned out alot better than your past.
God bless Joe xx
June 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am
dear joe i dont really know what to say i have just read your book cry silent tears my friend gave it to me to read i cant even imagiene what you went through or what sort of mother could allow this to happen.i hope you get well soon and carry on with your good work you are an inspiration to others to have got through the hell of your younger life to have emerged as a credit to your beloved father god speed your recovery
June 17th, 2009 at 11:46 am
dear joe you are an inspiration to others i hope you get better soon god speed your recovery xx
June 19th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Dear Joe, Iv just finished your book im finding it very difficult to type as the tears are still flowing. You truly are an inspiration to all. Get well soon Joe, god bless you and your family xx
June 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hi Joe,
Im really sorry to hear that you have been ill+really hope you’re getting better now.Im sure you will be…You must be a VERY strong man to have got this far after the childhood you had.
When I read your 1st book I cried…something I dont do easily.It is impossible for someone like me who had a happy childhood+loving parents to really comprehend just what it must really have been like for you to go through all the things you suffered.To think that your own mother could treat you like that makes me sad and angry beyond belief.
I have just finished reading the new book.Im so glad that you finally found happiness+your sole mate.After what you went through even after you escaped to your ‘new life’ you deserve all the happiness in the world.I really hope with all my heart that you live ‘happily ever after’ If anyone deserves that It’s you.
You really are a true inspiration….and Im sure the work you have been doing has helped so many people.It’s just so sad that anyone has to go through these things in the first place.
Good luck for the future Joe+may you have a long happy life from now on.xx
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I just finished your book “Cry Silent Tears”. There were times I felt sick to my stomach. My God! My God! So many time I said that while reading. I have read a lot of books but this one literally made my jaw drop. You Joe are an amazing person. I am so sorry for what you went through. I am very curious to what your illness is now. Please let me know so that I can pray specifically for you. God Bless.
Judy (Danville, IN)
June 24th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi Joe
So sorry to hear you are ill, I hope you recover soon.
Sending love and best wishes
Louise x
June 24th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I read cry silent tears last week, i had to keep putting it down to get some air, its beyond belief that you could go through that much and be the amazing person you are today.
There are so many children out there in need of help but never get it.
I wish you love luck and happiness x
June 30th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I have written my autobiography under a pseudonym.This is how I feel about this.This isn’t just about me but about anyone strong or brave enough to tell their story. Anyone who has suffered because of the actions of other people in their lives.
All my life I have lived a lie, kept secrets and lived a life of pretend. Like many other ‘victims’ I had to be quiet, threatened with awful consequences if I told anyone the truth. As I grew stronger, I made a promise to myself and the little girl who was me, that one day I would tell the world about these threats, the lies and the pretend. I am strong now, and yes brave enough to want to tell the truth. The truth that is sadly, the truth of many people whose young lives were destroyed by their abusers. Living under the fear of reprisals I kept silent, the two people who hurt me are dead now and so I am safe to tell it as it was.
But now I find I can’t, can’t tell the truth unless I ‘pretend’ to be someone else. It is as though, the people who hurt me are being protected, that the ‘law’ is colluding with my abusers. This can’t be right.
July 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
i read the book and my heart just crushed to hear of what you went through i would have loved to torture those who hurt you i am so sorry i wish i could have been there to be a friend and get you out of that i cant even imagine a child or person going through that god bless you and i have high respect for you
July 11th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
i read cry silent tear and cry myself to sleep both great book i cried through both books and my heart went out to and you came throught it and told your story and now helping other that are in the same dark place u were in no child should ever have to go thought that
August 25th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
hi joe I am not sure if I have met you or not I was lent your your books to read and have just finished them from good friends of yours and I started to read them on monday and have not been able to put them down I have 3 children of my own and do not no how any mother could put any of there children through such an sickening childhood and how brave of you to allow us to have the opportunity to read our life of which many do suffer in silence im sure what you have done have helped others to speak to someone in the same circumstances I cuddle m children every day and tell them that I love them something that comes so natural to some mothers is all that you craved for to be out through such torture is beyond thinking about I am very proud of you joe you have such talent to have what you have now with all that you have been through is such an achievement take care in all that you do in life my fond reguards to your family you are an amazing person xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
August 25th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Hi there, I have just read your book and was so inspired by it - I have read many books and do not usually read ones such as these, but for some reason this one jumped out at me from the library. I read it in two days and found it was so well written, without being too unreadable and whilst reading it a feeling of total sorrow for what you had to put up with and for such a long time and how the authorities would not believe you - which is so tragic that they probably didnt have sufficient trained people to understand what you were going through and such a shame you had no friends who you could trust apart from you one later in life but then he moved away. It does make you realise how normal every day life is taken for granted, we come across people (either in our lives or read through the papers) but I don’t think anyone can understand completely what you went through. The main reason I actually read your book is because I knew it had a happy ending and that is the most important thing that you came through this such a stronger person and made you theperson you are today for which I am sure many value, love and honour your name and value all the good work you are doing.