Tears of the Silenced

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

De: Misty Griffin

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

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

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.

Humbling

This memoir really tore at my heart, I am spiritual but do not practice a formal religion. I have always been skeptical of any religion that enforces strict rules and other forms of control over its members. I would say many of the cult like religions pray on the most vulnerable people which is absolutely heartbreaking. For many years I have been disgusted by the way people, men in particular have hidden behind religion to cover up their deviant behavior and it absolutely enrages me that the police allow these men a pass because of their “religion”. Victims should be believed and all claims taken seriously especially when a child or even adult is reporting abuse. So many victims are brushed off and this may be partially because as humans we would rather see the good in people and inherently don’t want to see the bad, however history has shown that abuse is a common occurrence in religious cults and the victims are not just looking for attention or trying to settle a vendetta.
Misty suffered a level of abuse no one should ever endure and I read the refined edited version of her book. It was heartbreaking to listen to this story but it was also extremely courageous for Misty to share her story. This memoir was humbling for me because I grew up in a middle class “English” family and was not exposed to any abuse or neglect. I was raised by loving parents and mostly took it for granted. I don’t want any child to suffer and as a healthcare worker I am always on the look out for the signs of abuse and would never hesitate to report suspected abuse to authorities.
I highly recommend listening or reading the memoir. By the end of the book I was sad that Misty had to tell such a painful story, but she is a remarkable woman who had the courage to continue living and she never ever gave up.
PLEASE REAS THIS BOOK AND STAND UP FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT ! DON’T LOOK THE OTHER WAY ALWAYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT!

Courageous

Great book!! Opened my eyes of how Amish communities work. Bravo for your courage to speak and act.

shocking story fabulous book!

I absolutely loved it. she is a true fighter. I'm so glad you turned a bad situation into a positive.

AMAZING STORY

As a teacher, this story is a sobering reminder of the responsibility members in a community have in identifying victims. Misty’s strength and resolve to turn her tragedy into a means of helping others is inspiring!