Hi Joe,
I'm Rhiona Williams, I'm 14 and I just finished your book. It was recommended to me by my best friend. She didn't tell me much about it at first but now I've finished it all I can think about is how blind people are to abuse of children. As I read your book it didn't really register to me that this was your life, even though I kept telling myself it was true. As soon as I finished it I had to visit this website and it really has hit me that this is what is happening around us. Your story had me in tears in Chapter Three 'Inferno'. I can't even imagine loosing my dad, but to witness it is such a terrible way was horrific. To be honest, the only thing that kept me reading we that I knew you must have escaped in the end because you wrote it. I really can't imagine how it was for you. To go through so much and be strong enough to survive, I have the utmost respect for you.
I read your diary blog about your son. I think you have reasons for being protective over your children, and I am amazed that you have become such a caring dad to your children. To go though what you have been through and not resent the world is amazing.
As you asked if your message is getting out there and making a difference, it definitely has made a difference to me and I will recommend your book to everyone I know. I respect fully what you are doing and trying to make a difference. I hope you all the best and am so happy that your life is now a happy one.
Much love Rhiona x

Hi Joe.
As an old school chum of yours and just recently finding you again, I just want to say what a true inspiration you are to the children of today that have to endure the torment of abuse and unhappy childhood. Keep up the good work and God bless!

Hi Joe

i am ashamed to say i couldnt finish the book as the horror you endured was too much for me to bear, i came from a loving & supportive family so maybe this is the reason i couldnt finish the book as everything you discribed was totally alien to me, i am not that niave though to know that child abuse in many forms exists behind closed doors probably in a home near me but the overriding knowledge this book has given me (im sure this applies to most people that has read the book) is to of course teach your children to be vigilant around strangers but now i will not be so blase with my children around friends or family & recognise now if they act differently or "act up" this may not always be part of growing up & i will make sure that no matter what, my children can talk & trust me above all others. Thank you for enforcing that in me, i hope you can get some sort of peace now by sharing your story x x God Bless you & your family

I am only 15 years old, but i must say your book 'Cry Silent Tears' really took me. I couldnt put the book down on holiday and id like to just comment on what a great man you have turned out to be. Your story really shook me and made me realise how lucky some of us are to have the life we lead. I personally was beaten up by my mum due to her violent boyfriend, but have now moved in with my mum because the stress was getting to me too much. I really couldnt believe what i was reading, but i hope to god everything is ok now, my best friend has been through a similar sort of thing, but not half as bad as your situation was and i know how sad she was during that time.
Thank you for having the time to read this.

Sophie x

I love ur book im only half way through it which i just did all last nite as i cant put it down, im at work wishing i took it with me, i have been crying my eyes out at it some reminds me of my childhood and i was born 1985 so the system still dont care what happens to children they know are at risk. Lets keep praying children like us make it out alive. When is ur next book out 2? cant wait for it. You are so brave and sorry about ur dad Love Jo x

I bought ur book while in the airport waiting to go on holiday i didnt end up reading it til the 2nd week as i was reading another book but i took me a wk to read it i no realize it wasnt i very good book so i decided to read urs i got comfy on the sun lounger by the pool and started to read i was that takin in by it i didnt realize how hot sun was n blistered all my leg but it was cworth it n compared to wat u went through thATS nothin im so grateful 4 the life i have n reading ur book makes u realize that n wen i look at my little girl sleepin it makes me so glad that she is not part ov a world like u lived in ,it scares me to think there r other children out there who are being ignored n cryin out for help just like you were n there evil predetor parents r that vindictive they know how to work the systems why there victems are helpless u are an inspiration to everyone n maybe the system should listen to ppl like you instead ov a txt book all the love n luck to your family and you nicolaxxxx

hi joe,i just wanted to say that i think your book is fantastic,i suffered abuse for 9 years from my father bothe sexual and mental,and was also not believed by any of the social services or police.i think some of the time mental abuse can be worse as you begin to think your the one the wrong and not the abuser.my case got taken to court and was thrown out by the cps.i think you are an inspiration to all the other people out there who are suffering at the hands of the sick and twisted people that are unfortunateley still living in our community.take care and good luck for the future.

hi joe ive just finished reading youre book I would just like to say how brave you are for all the bad thigs youre family did to you i have got a vivid amaginashion and you where saing about all smells i was smeling to but your book was very and was the the first book i have readin from cover to cover

Hi Joe, over the past 6 months myself and other work collegues have read many books about child abuse but i can honestly say when i read yours it was the most upsetting book i have ever read.Being a mother myself its so hard to believe that anyone can treat a child in that way.I read the book in less than four hours as i only put it down when i really had to, like other people i kept hoping and praying the next page would say you had been heard and saved from anymore pain.Tears were flowing on every page, you are so so brave and i was so glad that when i got to the epilogue you were at last happy and had met someone who loves you and given you children.Good luck with everything you do in the future and may you,your wife and children lead long happy lives.love lin x

i have just read your book and you are so brave very upsetting xxxx