Dear Joe,
I have just red your book in two days, i simply could not put it down. Both my parents where in the social services and i saw many children coming in and out of my own home as my parents refused to let them go back to there parents who where abusing them. because like yourself many people never believed the children. I think my parents where one of a kind because my parents could see when a child looked at them and were genuinely petrified of there parents. Not just listened to the parents story of how "difficult" there child can be. And all the other stupid excuses they make.
I have red many a book like yours and each one has stayed with me. I am 20 now and am so great full, not only to of had a loving relationship with my parents but also that there love was big enough to help children who no one ever believed, i don't know all the details of what there job entailed and i never want to as i don't think I could deal with the knowledge of what some parents are capable of. They no longer work in the social services due to the difficulty of being a good social worker now due to everything having to be so Politically Correct etc.
I will never understand why parents want to hurt there children or let anyone else hurt there children, and i hope i never do because i don't know how i would of managed if i had been in your situation as a child. i imagine that you are a fantastic husband and father, and I'm sure your wife will agree on that lol. and I'm sure your the most loving person in the world to your children.
I congratulate you on your strength to write this book and share with everyone else what evil can go on behind the doors of seemingly "normal" homes. I look forwards to your next book.
Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.
Tiffany
20, Wales

hi joe, firstly i would like to say sorry for what you went through throughout your childhood. it is so shocking how a mother could treat their own child that way. on the otherhand i am so glad that you have moved on. i hope that you have a happy life with your wife and children. most of my family want to read your book. i believe that you will give most of the children thats been in your position will speak up. i was discussed when you explained in your book (cry silent tears) that people never believed you. i cant imagen what you went through. i was gutted when i finished the book that your mum and the other people never got put away for what they did to you. i hope children at their will speak up becasue they might do it to other children. best of wishes.

when i saw your book i had to get it, when i read it i din't put it down until over half way(alot of housework was left undone lol) i had to leave it for the nextday as i was so upset by it. i have read alot of similer books and yours touched me the most i dont usually cry but i do feel sad for people and angry that abusers get away with so much, your book made me cry! i just wanted to get into that cellar and rescue you, i just wanted to press a stop button and make everything alright, i am so glad i know of you and that you came through the other end to be the man you are.

i have been through some things myself and have been thinking about writing a book although i feel my abuse and neglect and general bad luck are nothing to complain about after hearing your story. i still want to do it though and my phycologist thinks it is a good idea too, the problem with telling my story is that i still know most of the people that either caused or went through the bad times and if i was to write a book i would have to change my name and make sure people dont read it.
i used to write poems to make me feel better and i think a book would be a great thing for me to do and make me proud of myself.
im only 20 with a gogeous 2year old boy and im still having some problems.i see a phycologist and am on medication for depression, i am also suicidal althogh there has been a big difference since the tablets, it feels like im never going to be happy and i am that used to things going wrong that i expect something to happen to my son.
your book has given me hope and i am just waiting for my life to get better. i will be first inline for your next book

much love
april xXx

p.s did you ever hear from your family again, im curious as to wether they got what they deserverd.
as for social services! there a bunch of usless tossers that wont help as it is too much paperwork!!

Hi Joe,
well what can i say
The saddest thing apart from your very painful suffering is that NOBODY buy NOBODY LISTENED that i found very disturbing
You are a remarkable man and your Dad would be so VERY VERY PROUD of you
Best wishes to you and your lovely family the family that you so very much deserve
julie passingham x

Hello Joe

i've bought your book earlier this week and finished it the same day - i must say that i cried my all the way through it - i was just sad to know how much your father loved you and that you only had five lovely years with him - it is very disturbing to know that your birth mother could put you through all you went through - even by writing this i'm sat at my desk at work crying - i am so proud of you and all you overcame and i wish you the very best.

kind regards

Hi Joe, I bought Cry Silent Tears yesterday morning and had finished by the time I went to sleep, I just couldn't put it down. I must admit, when I reached the end all I wanted was for the perpetrators to be put to justice and you didn't make that happen. I have never been in your situation so I will never be able to completely understand, but surely to show kids who are/have been in your situation that others who commit such heinous crimes must not get away with it. Is there no way you can go to the police and get justice, if not for yourself but to protect others from the monsters you were subjected to. I await your response.
Yours sincerely, Helen
PS I am so so happy that you have found happiness!

Hi Joe,

I just couldn't put your book down. It was read from cover to cover in one evening. I wanted to break into that cellar and take you away from all the hurt and pain. I cried so much for you, yet I'm so happy you've found love and a have a family. Your Dad would be so proud of you.

You have really opened up my eyes about sexual abuse and paedophile rings and I read some things that I could never imagine happening in my wildest nightmares.I'm 27 and a single mum of two and will do everything in my power to protect them from people like that. I may not have been sexually abused as a child but my best school friend was by both of her parents and she was let down by social services for 15 years until our school head master got involved.

I'm studying my A levels at college with a view to going to university in September 2009. I have applied to do a BA honours degree in Social Work and Social Welfare. I'm not Mother Teresa but I would hope that I can make a difference, even if it's to only one child's life. Do you think that's possible to do or is there too much 'red tape'? Is it down to social services as a whole that children are being let down or to indivuals?

Yours,

Nicky

Hello Joe, Ive recently read your first book and couldnt put it down! I read a lot of books like yours to remind myself never to take anything for granted. From as long ago as i can remember my mum & dad suffered domestic abuse from each other, at the age of 9 somebody tried to touch me sexually, at 14 i was raped, at 15 i met somebody who treat me so badly & we got engaged, after 2 years of emotional abuse i left him, then at 17 a boy i was with touched me while i was asleep. Reading your book and many like it make me realise that i have been through such minor problems! A friend of mine asked how i can possibly read books like yours, and i said that you have all the courage inside you to tell the world about your harrowing past, the least i can do is read your book. Your father would be so proud of you now! And just from reading you book i know he was a lucky man to have you as his son. You deserve a medal Joe, you really are amazing! xxx

Hi Joe,

I have read many true stories of self discovery but not one has touched my heart in the way yours has. You truely are a remarkable man and i salute you for making to where you are today. When they say life is here to test us, you surely have had your fair share. I am a mother myself and am shocked and disturbed by actions said and done within Cry silent tears. I have learnt from stories like yours how to not do things and I have the most wonderful, polite little boy who i am extremely proud of.
You truely are an inspiration, Thank you for sharing your story x

Hello Joe,

I have jsut finished reading your book and I really don't know what to say. It took me 2 days, I have cried, I have thrown up and at times I almost felt like I was there with you.

As a child I was subject to a small amount (compared to you) of mental abuse from my step-mother and she was a fairly heavy handed woman. Luckily for me she split with my father when I was 11, around the time my father realised what was happening.

I am now a mother myself, and my biggest fear is turning into her, however I firmly believe if you acknowledge the problems of the past you can break the destructive cycle, I hope you agree.

I was so glad at the end of your book that you learnt to love and trust and I just had to drop you a note (which turned into an essay, sorry).

Much love to you and your family.

Kezz x