Tears of the Silenced

An Amish True Crime Memoir of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Brutal Betrayal, and Ultimate Survival

By: Misty Griffin

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

A true crime memoir: When Misty was six years old, her family started to live and dress like the Amish. Misty and her sister were kept as slaves on a mountain ranch where they were subjected to almost complete isolation, sexual abuse, and extreme physical violence. Their stepfather kept a loaded rifle by the door at all times to make sure the young girls were too terrified to try to escape. They also knew that no rescue would ever come because only a couple of people even knew they existed and did not know them well enough to care.

Amish sexual abuse: When Misty reached her teens, her parents feared she and her sister would escape and took them to an Amish community where they were adopted and became baptized members. Misty was devastated to once again find herself in a world of fear, animal cruelty, and sexual abuse. Going to the police was severely frowned upon. A few years later, Misty was sexually assaulted by the bishop. As Misty recalls, "Amish sexual abusers are only shunned by the church for six weeks, a punishment that never seems to work. After I was assaulted by the bishop I knew I had to get help and one freezing morning in early March I made a dash for a tiny police station in rural Minnesota. After reporting the bishop I left the Amish and found myself plummeted into the strange modern world with only a second-grade education and no ID or social security card. To all abuse survivors out there, please be encouraged, the cycle of abuse can be broken. Today, I am a nursing student working towards my master's degree and a child abuse awareness activist. This is my story."  

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Misty E. Griffin (P)2019 Tantor

Author is definitely dedicated

The performance as great. The author has edited out details, as she tells you at end. Misty, I think too many people judged you into taking out content. Its my only critique. The content seems absolutely legit, but I think the author edited out a bit too much, due to comments from people who found if easy to judge her. And she has to add things to defend herself from unknowing people. Which is silly. Cause people can say someone should do something but that don't make it possible. I found this book easy to read and written in a flowing manner, I recommend it. And i send strength out to anyone in any similar situation.

Incredible story. Wonderful narration.

This is a tremendous book. I agree with your old English professor. You made me feel like I was there. The book was very well written, and the narrator was terrific. A bad narrator kills a good book.

Is your original much longer e-book available anywhere? A lot of your audience would be interested in it. Congratulations on your powerful 5 star book.

Touching and eye opening

I prefer true stories to fiction. As sad as this story was, I was amazed to hear this was going on. I had always idealized the Amish. I know there are bad apples in every group and good apples. The story was well presented. God bless this young woman.

Absolutely excellent

Once I started listening I was so hooked. This is one of the most excellently done books ever I would put it up there with Angela's ashes is so well written with so much heart, so well performed that I could not stop and stayed up all night

Reminded me of Educated

Similar to Educated in that it is a memoir of childhood trauma with redemption. Narrator is awesome!

loved it!!

Will. deffentely pass this on. come from Mennonite background but noting like this happened to me but you hear whispers and know it's happening.

A story of tragedy and triumph over evil.

Every person needs to experience this book, listen to the tragic story of Misty Griffin and others who've suffered at the hands of the evil adults in their lives. Misty's experience is gut wrenching and at times hard to stomach. But her mission to raise awareness is a very real need. I suffered at the hands of my father when I was 12. Although I did not experience anything close to the horrors that Misty did, I lived for years with the survivors guilt that plagues us all. I hope that listeners can experience Misty's story and use it to save just one child victim, or if you are a victim, have the courage to tell someone.

Amish pedophiles? Who knew?!

I thought this was a true crime detective type book, but there was no mystery. The only mystery was why law enforcement does not take seriously the words of a child.
I enjoyed the narration and the story was good. There were no lulls. I didn’t wanted it to end.

Good book

Some details of the abuse would have been preferred. I know you explained why you didn't include details during the editing process, but some information would have made me Feel more when reading the story.

Eye Opening, Very Interesting Read

This book was very written and edited. The author did a great job at telling her story in a way that keeps your attention and explains this tremendously well. Had never read a book about the Amish, and this may have not been a good first choice. But I am not naive to the fact that I have some Amish acquaintances that I know are in a good place and a good community. However, if this is indeed a prevalent issue and happening, I shudder to think about all of those innocent children or people that are possibly getting abused sexually. My heart and prayers go out to anyone that is dealing with this abuse. I will definitely keep my eyes open to this. 😥

Breathtaking

Have about 2000 audio books in my collection but never have I been so moved by this true account. Would love to here more from but feel she could never top this

Thoughtful

Not the normal book I would listen too but how sad how can anyone suffer so much in a life time, the cruelty of people in the world especially to the young and vulnerable really makes you wonder, this book was so sad. Well done to Misty Griffen for telling her story and always listen to your instincts and report to the the athorities the narrator was first class.

No thanks…

Boring, tedious rambling about the Amish community. Very poorly written.
The abuse she endured was horrific and shameful, but most details are censored. I just didn’t enjoy this as a “True Crime” book.

brave brave lady

fantastic book, couldn't stop listening. Misty is a very brave lady. so proud of you

Eye opener

loved reading this book. definitely opened my eyes to the Armish . I find that there is so much child abuse going on in this world. so much more than others realise. The story was very well written and well dictated. Definitely worth a read. I hope Misty and her family have a very successful life and hope that her story continues to give the Armish children strength and hope that they too can change their lives if ever they wish to.

One of the best I listened to

One of the best I’ve listened to for a long time!
So tragic, but interesting story about a people so mysterious and about a survivor you almost can’t believe.
The book is so well written and it grips you from the first letter to the last..
I can only say that this is a must read to everyone and it’s easy to get through as I could not stop listening until it was finished!
Well done Misty.. both for the book but also for being such a strong person getting to where you are today 😊

A must read

This is a must read for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Thank you.

Great read.

Great read. What a brave lady. I love this book and I'd highly recommend.💯

Unmissable

Truly unforgettable.. thought provoking and shocking. made me view the Amish in a totally different way. Beautifully and heartbreakingly conveyed.

Tears of the silenced by M Griffin & C campbell

It certainly gave me an opportunity to understand someone that is Amish. Cannot believe that they hold young girls is such low estime. But even the police were xso reluctant to get involved, and mothers allowed it to go on. Very good an eye opener for me. Will certainly look into the ways they treat their daughters.