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Silent No More: Victim 1's Fight for Justice Against Jerry Sandusky
Victim 1, at fourteen years of age, spoke up against Jerry Sandusky in the Penn State scandal, and now for the first time tells his story.
Aaron Fisher was a eager and spirited eleven-year-old when legendary Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky recruited him into his Second Mile children’s charity. Offering support at a critical time in Aaron’s life, Sandusky gave him gifts and attention, winning the boy’s trust even as he isolated him from his family and peers. Before long, Sandusky’s attention escalated into sexual assault. When Aaron summoned the courage to speak up, he found himself ostracized and harassed by the very people who were supposed to protect him. The investigation set off by his coming forward would drag on for three years—and would launch the biggest scandal in the history of sports.
In Silent No More , Aaron Fisher recounts his harrowing quest to bring Sandusky’s crimes to light—from the intense feelings of guilt that kept him from speaking up earlier and the fear he felt at accusing a man who was a pillar of the community and a hero to the largest alumni network in the world, to the infuriating delays in the arrest and conviction of his abuser. He catalogs the devastating personal toll the case took on the shattered relationships, panic attacks, and betrayal of trust that continued to haunt him even after the charges went public in the fall of 2011. But he also speaks of his mother’s desperate efforts to get him out of harm’s way, the invaluable help of psychologist Michael Gillum, and the vindication he felt at inspiring numerous other victims to step forward . . . and at knowing that, thanks to him, there would be no future victims of Jerry Sandusky.
In the end, Aaron Fisher won his fight to expose the truth, achieving some measure of closure. Told in the honest and unforgettable voices of Aaron; his mother, Dawn; and his psychologist, Mike, this inspiring book completes Aaron’s transformation from a nameless casualty into a resounding voice for change.
Aaron Fisher was a eager and spirited eleven-year-old when legendary Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky recruited him into his Second Mile children’s charity. Offering support at a critical time in Aaron’s life, Sandusky gave him gifts and attention, winning the boy’s trust even as he isolated him from his family and peers. Before long, Sandusky’s attention escalated into sexual assault. When Aaron summoned the courage to speak up, he found himself ostracized and harassed by the very people who were supposed to protect him. The investigation set off by his coming forward would drag on for three years—and would launch the biggest scandal in the history of sports.
In Silent No More , Aaron Fisher recounts his harrowing quest to bring Sandusky’s crimes to light—from the intense feelings of guilt that kept him from speaking up earlier and the fear he felt at accusing a man who was a pillar of the community and a hero to the largest alumni network in the world, to the infuriating delays in the arrest and conviction of his abuser. He catalogs the devastating personal toll the case took on the shattered relationships, panic attacks, and betrayal of trust that continued to haunt him even after the charges went public in the fall of 2011. But he also speaks of his mother’s desperate efforts to get him out of harm’s way, the invaluable help of psychologist Michael Gillum, and the vindication he felt at inspiring numerous other victims to step forward . . . and at knowing that, thanks to him, there would be no future victims of Jerry Sandusky.
In the end, Aaron Fisher won his fight to expose the truth, achieving some measure of closure. Told in the honest and unforgettable voices of Aaron; his mother, Dawn; and his psychologist, Mike, this inspiring book completes Aaron’s transformation from a nameless casualty into a resounding voice for change.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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692 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
July 27, 2024
Silent No More is written by Aaron, of course, his psychologist, Mike Gillum, and his mother, Dawn Daniels. The story does not give *too much information* about the actual abuse. It was handled very appropriately. The story is really about the time period from when Aaron disclosed what had happened to him for the first time, up until Sandusky was convicted.
I really enjoyed reading the story from the different view points involved.
Dawn - Apparently Dawn has taken quite a bit of criticism. People have had a lot of questions about why she didn't "see" something, why she trusted Sandusky etc. I am embarrassed to admit that I had wondered some of the same things. However, hearing Dawn's point of view, I now understand. Gavin De Becker in his book, Protecting the Gift talks about how our intutition warns us about things and unfortunately we (all of us) are prone to ignore it through denial, minimalization and refusal. Dawn did these things - as almost all of us would. Hopefully reading this book we can learn from her experience. But Dawn deserves more credit for the things she did right. When Aaron told her, she believed him, she supported him, and stood behind him. For that, I consider her a hero. Any mom, who is a mother bear for her child is a good mom.
Aaron - I am also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, so I was horrified when I realized how many times he was expected to repeat his story...in detail...I'm 46 and my abuse was a long time ago, and I don't think I could do that. I have talked to my therapist, but I don't discuss the details with anyone else. I can't imagine how Aaron found the courage, at such a young age, to share his story again and again to different state troopers, and then to two grand juries. Aaron, is a hero to me. Because he was so brave, many boys lives will be spared. I am so sorry for his pain, I understand it as one who shares it. . .
Mike - I wish that every child that came forward about abuse could have the support and kindness that he showed not only to Aaron, but to Dawn as well. Mike's perspective was a wonderful addition to the book.
There is so much that can be gleaned from this book about how to prevent abuse (warning signs to be aware of) and what to do when a child comes forward (shown by Dawn and Mike), and unfortunately a lot of what not to do. It should not have taken three years to arrest that monster! As a fellow survivor that infuriates me.
A great book, well worth the read!
I really enjoyed reading the story from the different view points involved.
Dawn - Apparently Dawn has taken quite a bit of criticism. People have had a lot of questions about why she didn't "see" something, why she trusted Sandusky etc. I am embarrassed to admit that I had wondered some of the same things. However, hearing Dawn's point of view, I now understand. Gavin De Becker in his book, Protecting the Gift talks about how our intutition warns us about things and unfortunately we (all of us) are prone to ignore it through denial, minimalization and refusal. Dawn did these things - as almost all of us would. Hopefully reading this book we can learn from her experience. But Dawn deserves more credit for the things she did right. When Aaron told her, she believed him, she supported him, and stood behind him. For that, I consider her a hero. Any mom, who is a mother bear for her child is a good mom.
Aaron - I am also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, so I was horrified when I realized how many times he was expected to repeat his story...in detail...I'm 46 and my abuse was a long time ago, and I don't think I could do that. I have talked to my therapist, but I don't discuss the details with anyone else. I can't imagine how Aaron found the courage, at such a young age, to share his story again and again to different state troopers, and then to two grand juries. Aaron, is a hero to me. Because he was so brave, many boys lives will be spared. I am so sorry for his pain, I understand it as one who shares it. . .
Mike - I wish that every child that came forward about abuse could have the support and kindness that he showed not only to Aaron, but to Dawn as well. Mike's perspective was a wonderful addition to the book.
There is so much that can be gleaned from this book about how to prevent abuse (warning signs to be aware of) and what to do when a child comes forward (shown by Dawn and Mike), and unfortunately a lot of what not to do. It should not have taken three years to arrest that monster! As a fellow survivor that infuriates me.
A great book, well worth the read!
November 21, 2012
For all my family and friends who have sympathy for the PSU folks who covered things up, or did nothing to stop it, I ask you to read this book. It is a fast read, only 200 pages, I read it in 2 days. I sickens me that this happened and can happen anywhere, but I graduated from PSU, so even more sad. It is all about the victims of sexual child abuse, not the football, not the fans, not the folks who helped cover up Sandusky's crimes against innocent children. We can not be too careful when protecting children.
December 24, 2012
Eh ... what happened to this boy is obviously sad but this book was just another thrown together attempt to get a book on the shelves before the public lost interest. The way it was written was annoying - the chapters alternated between the victim, his mom and his psychologist. His mom's chapters were just her trying to convince the reader that she wasn't a bad mom. Plus they echoed Aaron's chapters so you basically felt like you were living Groundhogs Day reading about the same incident over and over. The psychologist's chapters had the promise of being intersting but they ended up feeling like him tooting his own horn about all the good he'd done, how much he'd sacrificed in his personal life, and how messed up the system was. I didn't really follow this story that closely in the media so it was also annoying that all three seemed to write from the assumption that you knew the basics that were reported on. If you didn't, you just ended up feeling lost. I wish this boy the best, but I think his book could have been more insightful if he'd given it a little more time.
July 28, 2018
(NO STARS!) Everyone SHOULD read this book. The few in the "know", know this is a tome full of lies (as much as lies can colour in blatant obfuscation...). If you read it, you'll see right through the scam. Don't take my word for it (not that you would...) crack it open & smell the stench of lies yourself. Don't bother to bore me with "I know what happened...don't let the FACTS confuse me". That is your cross (you won't bear)! I've done my homework. You won't.
http://www.framingpaterno.com/sites/d...
Aaron Fisher is a liar. The canned 2018 Newsweek story on this Penn State travesty of justice only exhibits the financial picture of the scam. I posted the link above. That's only 1% of the story. If you can't believe it, follow the link. Don't stay misinformed.
Aaron Fisher and his scheming, trashy mum Dawn will count on you giving him looooong rope and leeway that he was a victim of child rape. It isn't true, and if one reads the book, they see he wasn't abused by Sandusky, quite clearly. This book isn't even written by him. A ghostwriter does most of the "heavy lifting" and his mum contributes bits of her own prevaricating bird droppings. And like his involvement in this creep's case from 2008-2012, his quack, shyster "psychologist" Mike Gillum hi-jacks the book that SHOULD be just "victim" Aaron Fisher's. Just as one would expect a fraud, "recovered memories" shrink would. The "recovered memories" syndrome has long been debunked. If people could bury their trauma, there would be NO PTSD. Sadly, that is NOT the case. Trauma scars and burns.
Aaron Fisher NEVER goes into the child rape he claims he endured via Jerry Sandusky. No one expects him (or wants him to!) go deep here, but the trouble is that he CAN'T EVEN ILLUSTRATE A MODICUM OF THE ABUSE DURING THE WHOLE BOOK. Silent No More? He is still silent because he can't explain what happened to him because NOTHING happened to him! He can't speak (and refused to!) to ANYONE about what allegedly happened to him the whole book and he and his quack, hack Gillum admit it and crap on about it the WHOLE BOOK. He didn't want his mum in the court room when he testified during the 2012 trial (what victim of child rape blocks their own Mum from their moment of strength & justice???), TWO Grand Juries did not believe his testimony and called him back for a THIRD go, AND even then he had to read from a script to expound on just a bit of the abuse he claimed happened to him (during the trial, he also gave FOUR different dates RE: when the child rape by Sandusky started...including one date AFTER he made his claim about Sandusky, LOL!). He wouldn't open up to LE when he had to meet with them many times to explain the crime and his Svengali-Shrink Gillum only ever got bits and pieces of the "abuse" and mostly LED Fisher into saying what he endured (leading the witness). Total bullshit! No one will call him on it because this is regarding child rape. Well, it's not if it never happened and you're lying. And you've sent someone to prison who ISN'T a child rapist and medically couldn't be even IF he actually was!
During he whole book he whinges about how hard it was for him to talk to ANYONE about the abuse. His mum, his quack, control-freak shrink, LE, the prosecutors, the grand jury and even at the trial. That's a rat you smell...even if you see a "Danger, It's Child Rape" neon sign trying to trip you up. We never get down to the nitty-gritty. That is why that goblin Gillum takes up most of the book with is crap! Pages further obfuscate when his sneaky mum "writes" her thoughts out. Aaron then craps on about the same thing but from his point of view...letting the clock run out and filling up the book because it's all pitch and bullshit.
This book is a great piece of proof that Aaron Fisher and his mum Dawn are lying liars. Many in their old town (Lock Haven, PA) don't believe them, the first TWO Grand Juries didn't believe him (they would NOT indict Jerry Sandusky 'til the 3rd grand jury!) and the one investigative journalist who had the guts to dig deep and look under every rock PROVED it (but people choose to ignore him and his hard work). They also give themselves away post settlement windfall...Aaron Fisher posting pics on FB of himself (and his girl friend, respectively...) on a hotel bed covered with hundred dollar bills and Aaron giving the camera "the finger" (this was in 2015)...is this how a victim of child rape acts? When it's about the money and you're lying, it is! They also threatened and vandalized the property of people in Lock Haven who had the guts to say they didn't believe them, not even a bit.
Mother Dawn claims she had NO CLUE her boy was being abused by Sandusky (and he wasn't, which is the good news!) for the 3 years Sandusky was a father-figure to fatherless Aaron Fisher (his dad...who he never saw and his step-dad are convicted child molesters thou'....and I doubt they abused Aaron because all he had to was transfer their alleged abuse of him for his claim RE: Jerry Sandusky...but he couldn't talk about it (RE: Sandusky) and collapsed every time he had to! It's just not credible!). Over time, a mother knows when her child is being abused...even bad ones like Dawn who liked to party and drop Aaron off with his grandparents. From the get-go, Dawn blabbed to others about the money she was gonna get...and she sure got it. Neighbours and friends would relay her very own words BEFORE the conviction and settlement ($7.5M) and they turned out to be right! She has everything she said she would have. Cha-ching!
Dawn also says her kid Aaron was a good kid up 'til 12-YO (when Jerry was in the picture) and then suddenly became ornery and disrespectful (he claims in the book his only vice was "chewing tobacco", LOL). Nope, a drastic shift like that just doesn't happen at a drop of a hat and everyone else who REALLY knew him described Aaron as cocky and a douche-bag. He never told his mum about the abuse (she never saw anything peculiar!), admits in the book he didn't know he was abused 'til he met quack Gillum and all the abuse had to be recovered. Bullsh! The fact is Aaron was sexually active with girls at 12 and would go on to have two kids out of wedlock (and while he was still a teen!). That's NOT a shy abuse "victim"! At the END of the book he admits (RE: being on the stand) that he was a "cocky" kid (RE: wanting to punch Sandusky during the trial) but during the book he and his mum (and Gargoyle Gillum) paint him as fragile, frightened and vulnerable. Not bloody likely! What is it, Aaron? You can't be BOTH archetypes! His mum even admits in the book she "didn't know the difference of being a (paedo) and being gay"? WHAT? WTF does that mean?
He (and Gillum) also lie in the book about his girlfriends leaving him once they found out he was a Sandusky "victim". His GF at the time even has said that was a lie. She didn't leave him and she admitted Aaron lies. Yes, he sure does! He also lies about a bad car accident he had with two pals in the car. In the book he says his car was old and couldn't go fast (so how it crashed was a mystery???) but one of his friend's dad (the kid's face got real bashed up due to the car crash) said Aaron was going 2Xs the speed limit on a long, narrow road! That's too "truth-y" for the fugazi, snowflake "Aaron" depicted in the tome of lies, thou'.
I've done my homework. I knew the book was bunk BEFORE I read it, but now that I HAVE read it I KNOW the truth about the Penn State Fiasco IS the TRUTH. The book itself is a great exhibit of evidence. Aaron Fisher is a lying liar and has fooled SOME but not ALL. The truth IS floating out in the open if you want to see it. There is no expiration date on TRUTH. The liars and shysters will be caught and exposed one day. If you look away and DON'T care about the TRUTH here, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM!
http://www.framingpaterno.com/sites/d...
Aaron Fisher is a liar. The canned 2018 Newsweek story on this Penn State travesty of justice only exhibits the financial picture of the scam. I posted the link above. That's only 1% of the story. If you can't believe it, follow the link. Don't stay misinformed.
Aaron Fisher and his scheming, trashy mum Dawn will count on you giving him looooong rope and leeway that he was a victim of child rape. It isn't true, and if one reads the book, they see he wasn't abused by Sandusky, quite clearly. This book isn't even written by him. A ghostwriter does most of the "heavy lifting" and his mum contributes bits of her own prevaricating bird droppings. And like his involvement in this creep's case from 2008-2012, his quack, shyster "psychologist" Mike Gillum hi-jacks the book that SHOULD be just "victim" Aaron Fisher's. Just as one would expect a fraud, "recovered memories" shrink would. The "recovered memories" syndrome has long been debunked. If people could bury their trauma, there would be NO PTSD. Sadly, that is NOT the case. Trauma scars and burns.
Aaron Fisher NEVER goes into the child rape he claims he endured via Jerry Sandusky. No one expects him (or wants him to!) go deep here, but the trouble is that he CAN'T EVEN ILLUSTRATE A MODICUM OF THE ABUSE DURING THE WHOLE BOOK. Silent No More? He is still silent because he can't explain what happened to him because NOTHING happened to him! He can't speak (and refused to!) to ANYONE about what allegedly happened to him the whole book and he and his quack, hack Gillum admit it and crap on about it the WHOLE BOOK. He didn't want his mum in the court room when he testified during the 2012 trial (what victim of child rape blocks their own Mum from their moment of strength & justice???), TWO Grand Juries did not believe his testimony and called him back for a THIRD go, AND even then he had to read from a script to expound on just a bit of the abuse he claimed happened to him (during the trial, he also gave FOUR different dates RE: when the child rape by Sandusky started...including one date AFTER he made his claim about Sandusky, LOL!). He wouldn't open up to LE when he had to meet with them many times to explain the crime and his Svengali-Shrink Gillum only ever got bits and pieces of the "abuse" and mostly LED Fisher into saying what he endured (leading the witness). Total bullshit! No one will call him on it because this is regarding child rape. Well, it's not if it never happened and you're lying. And you've sent someone to prison who ISN'T a child rapist and medically couldn't be even IF he actually was!
During he whole book he whinges about how hard it was for him to talk to ANYONE about the abuse. His mum, his quack, control-freak shrink, LE, the prosecutors, the grand jury and even at the trial. That's a rat you smell...even if you see a "Danger, It's Child Rape" neon sign trying to trip you up. We never get down to the nitty-gritty. That is why that goblin Gillum takes up most of the book with is crap! Pages further obfuscate when his sneaky mum "writes" her thoughts out. Aaron then craps on about the same thing but from his point of view...letting the clock run out and filling up the book because it's all pitch and bullshit.
This book is a great piece of proof that Aaron Fisher and his mum Dawn are lying liars. Many in their old town (Lock Haven, PA) don't believe them, the first TWO Grand Juries didn't believe him (they would NOT indict Jerry Sandusky 'til the 3rd grand jury!) and the one investigative journalist who had the guts to dig deep and look under every rock PROVED it (but people choose to ignore him and his hard work). They also give themselves away post settlement windfall...Aaron Fisher posting pics on FB of himself (and his girl friend, respectively...) on a hotel bed covered with hundred dollar bills and Aaron giving the camera "the finger" (this was in 2015)...is this how a victim of child rape acts? When it's about the money and you're lying, it is! They also threatened and vandalized the property of people in Lock Haven who had the guts to say they didn't believe them, not even a bit.
Mother Dawn claims she had NO CLUE her boy was being abused by Sandusky (and he wasn't, which is the good news!) for the 3 years Sandusky was a father-figure to fatherless Aaron Fisher (his dad...who he never saw and his step-dad are convicted child molesters thou'....and I doubt they abused Aaron because all he had to was transfer their alleged abuse of him for his claim RE: Jerry Sandusky...but he couldn't talk about it (RE: Sandusky) and collapsed every time he had to! It's just not credible!). Over time, a mother knows when her child is being abused...even bad ones like Dawn who liked to party and drop Aaron off with his grandparents. From the get-go, Dawn blabbed to others about the money she was gonna get...and she sure got it. Neighbours and friends would relay her very own words BEFORE the conviction and settlement ($7.5M) and they turned out to be right! She has everything she said she would have. Cha-ching!
Dawn also says her kid Aaron was a good kid up 'til 12-YO (when Jerry was in the picture) and then suddenly became ornery and disrespectful (he claims in the book his only vice was "chewing tobacco", LOL). Nope, a drastic shift like that just doesn't happen at a drop of a hat and everyone else who REALLY knew him described Aaron as cocky and a douche-bag. He never told his mum about the abuse (she never saw anything peculiar!), admits in the book he didn't know he was abused 'til he met quack Gillum and all the abuse had to be recovered. Bullsh! The fact is Aaron was sexually active with girls at 12 and would go on to have two kids out of wedlock (and while he was still a teen!). That's NOT a shy abuse "victim"! At the END of the book he admits (RE: being on the stand) that he was a "cocky" kid (RE: wanting to punch Sandusky during the trial) but during the book he and his mum (and Gargoyle Gillum) paint him as fragile, frightened and vulnerable. Not bloody likely! What is it, Aaron? You can't be BOTH archetypes! His mum even admits in the book she "didn't know the difference of being a (paedo) and being gay"? WHAT? WTF does that mean?
He (and Gillum) also lie in the book about his girlfriends leaving him once they found out he was a Sandusky "victim". His GF at the time even has said that was a lie. She didn't leave him and she admitted Aaron lies. Yes, he sure does! He also lies about a bad car accident he had with two pals in the car. In the book he says his car was old and couldn't go fast (so how it crashed was a mystery???) but one of his friend's dad (the kid's face got real bashed up due to the car crash) said Aaron was going 2Xs the speed limit on a long, narrow road! That's too "truth-y" for the fugazi, snowflake "Aaron" depicted in the tome of lies, thou'.
I've done my homework. I knew the book was bunk BEFORE I read it, but now that I HAVE read it I KNOW the truth about the Penn State Fiasco IS the TRUTH. The book itself is a great exhibit of evidence. Aaron Fisher is a lying liar and has fooled SOME but not ALL. The truth IS floating out in the open if you want to see it. There is no expiration date on TRUTH. The liars and shysters will be caught and exposed one day. If you look away and DON'T care about the TRUTH here, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM!
May 5, 2022
Disturbing
"Silent No More" is the horrible true story of victim #1 in the Jerry Sandusky trial.
As a graduate of Penn State and a huge football fan, this story hit close to home.
It is well written and fast paced. I am sorry that books like this are needed.
"Silent No More" is the horrible true story of victim #1 in the Jerry Sandusky trial.
As a graduate of Penn State and a huge football fan, this story hit close to home.
It is well written and fast paced. I am sorry that books like this are needed.
December 4, 2012
Wow...this was an amazing story. Yes, sadly I followed the Jerry Sandusky trial and always shook my head, amazed at the information/story. I remember calling my son and asking him if any of his coaches, in any of his years of sports, had ever entered the showers when any of the boys were in there. Of course he said no.
We had an incident of a sexual predator within the circle of our acquaintances and didn't have any idea that he was one until about September. It was frightening to hear how he had tried to form an attachment with my young grandson and how grateful I was that his parents, tho they knew of our 'friendship' with this man, listened to the "icky" feelings inside, felt something was off and kept their son away from this man.
So it's with that background that I read this book. I actually read it in the 5 hours it took to drive home from Jocelyn's. I read it aloud to Robert as he drove. There was only one small part that made you want to vomit and it wasn't in the specific details but in the thoughts that you couldn't escape. We paused for a bit and I agreed not to read anymore such sections aloud and promised to scan ahead and stop. I didn't need to. It was all done with careful wording. But I truly believe it's a story that needs to be read by everyone. I think all parents, grandparents, particularly church leaders who generally speaking are a bunch of loving innocents, naive in fact.
The story is told from 3 eyes...Victim #1, his mom, and his counselor who stood by him from start to finish. Truly, this is an incredible story and I hope one that this young Aaron will be able to overcome and be successful. Again I am reminded of what Robert has always taught the kids...make NO MAN your hero, your role model. Only one will never let you down. And lastly, we no longer can stand by and do nothing. We no longer can turn a blind eye to what we think or know is going on. We must be vigilant as was Mike the counselor in pushing for the legal process to be complete and that justice is experiences.
PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!
We had an incident of a sexual predator within the circle of our acquaintances and didn't have any idea that he was one until about September. It was frightening to hear how he had tried to form an attachment with my young grandson and how grateful I was that his parents, tho they knew of our 'friendship' with this man, listened to the "icky" feelings inside, felt something was off and kept their son away from this man.
So it's with that background that I read this book. I actually read it in the 5 hours it took to drive home from Jocelyn's. I read it aloud to Robert as he drove. There was only one small part that made you want to vomit and it wasn't in the specific details but in the thoughts that you couldn't escape. We paused for a bit and I agreed not to read anymore such sections aloud and promised to scan ahead and stop. I didn't need to. It was all done with careful wording. But I truly believe it's a story that needs to be read by everyone. I think all parents, grandparents, particularly church leaders who generally speaking are a bunch of loving innocents, naive in fact.
The story is told from 3 eyes...Victim #1, his mom, and his counselor who stood by him from start to finish. Truly, this is an incredible story and I hope one that this young Aaron will be able to overcome and be successful. Again I am reminded of what Robert has always taught the kids...make NO MAN your hero, your role model. Only one will never let you down. And lastly, we no longer can stand by and do nothing. We no longer can turn a blind eye to what we think or know is going on. We must be vigilant as was Mike the counselor in pushing for the legal process to be complete and that justice is experiences.
PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!
October 15, 2019
5 stars each to Aaron and Dawn for being so candid about their experiences.
2 stars to Mike - who feels to me like he has blurred a lot of boundaries, and also seems to not see the important distinction between a clinical assessment and treatment and a forensic interview of a child. As a social worker who has spent years working on the criminal and investigative side of child sex abuse cases, much of Mike's commentary made me cringe. He was so upset about Aaron being asked to speak to law enforcement (and i'm talking about the first time - the multiple investigative interviews that happened were absolutely unnecessary and problematic) and said "he had to talk to a stranger." DUDE, YOU were a stranger! instead of doing a full interview with him at CYS, you should have referred him immediately to an multi-disciplinary team!
ugh. i was so annoyed.
2 stars to Mike - who feels to me like he has blurred a lot of boundaries, and also seems to not see the important distinction between a clinical assessment and treatment and a forensic interview of a child. As a social worker who has spent years working on the criminal and investigative side of child sex abuse cases, much of Mike's commentary made me cringe. He was so upset about Aaron being asked to speak to law enforcement (and i'm talking about the first time - the multiple investigative interviews that happened were absolutely unnecessary and problematic) and said "he had to talk to a stranger." DUDE, YOU were a stranger! instead of doing a full interview with him at CYS, you should have referred him immediately to an multi-disciplinary team!
ugh. i was so annoyed.
March 30, 2013
It's a sad and horrible story, obviously, of the long time abuse of a child by a local hero. Years of torment, not only from the abuse itself but the years following, trying to get justice. Freighting to read how much influence an important person of the community has, how the place can be so blind to defend the offenders and not care about the victims. That was interesting through a psychological standpoint.
But the book itself is quite boring, though thankfully short. It was lots of repetition, and specially the mother's contribution was just repeating of what's been said previously and unnecessary. The psychologist's chapters were the most interesting.
All in all an okay, quick read.
But the book itself is quite boring, though thankfully short. It was lots of repetition, and specially the mother's contribution was just repeating of what's been said previously and unnecessary. The psychologist's chapters were the most interesting.
All in all an okay, quick read.
December 31, 2012
Aaron Fisher, the first of Jerry Sandusky's victims to come forward, is a hero. the strength and bravery it must have taken for him to tell his story repeatedly is amazing.
This is a well written book with different chapters told from the point of view of Aaron, his mother, Dawn and his psychologist, Mike.
I come away from it thinking that Aaron is an amazing young man with so much potential and that Jerry Sandusky is a sick predator with a trail of victims that we may never truly know about.
September 29, 2016
Well written and informative, thus book is one I'm glad I read. I appreciate the courage of Aaron, his mother, and Mike, in sharing their story and in persisting in the cause of justice. I can especially relate to Aaron's mother, Dawn, and I applaud her for standing up for her son.
December 26, 2012
Good book, but I wish it had been more in Aaron's voice instead of his therapist's voice.
March 22, 2023
Heartbreaking and courageous story.
April 12, 2020
Unfortunately this story could have been written in 100 pages. Half of the book was dragging the research of Sandusky and the awaiting trials. It wasn’t interesting other than the parts when: Arron admitted he was sexually assaulted by Sandusky, other victims coming out, and Sandusky being guilty of 45 counts of sexual assault.
December 15, 2012
Yes, this is about the pedophile Sandusky. No, it's not about the specific details of the sexual abuse although you get the picture as to what Sandusky was doing to his victims. Told from the perspective of Victim #1 Aaron Fisher, his mother Dawn and his psychologist Michael Gillum, you see how Sandusky was able to take control of Aaron and to abuse him. Aaron was only 10 when Sandusky came into his life and 14 when he tried to get away from him. What's really incredible is Aaron's ability, finally, to end the abuse even as Sandusky was stalking him. I started the book last night and finished it before bedtime. I just couldn't put it down until I got to the conclusion even though I knew that Sandusky was convicted and finally jailed.
I confess I was pretty agitated reading this. To think that this man could go to Aaron's school and have him pulled from the classroom - repeatedly - and the school officials chose to comply with his requests. Apparently, Sandusky had other boys pulled from the classroom on a regular basis. What the HELL did those staff people think was going on??? And don't get me started on that piece of **** Sandusky is married to, who chose to remain upstairs while the boys were being tortured - let's not mince words here - in her basement. So many people chose to let this man, no, this monster, prey on young, helpless, innocent boys because they were too comfortable in their own lives. Doing something about what they had to have known, or at least suspected, was going on would have been "painful" for them. So, instead, they enabled (yes, enabled) Sandusky to inflict mental and physical pain on boys who couldn't defend themselves.
At first, Aaron just wanted to get away from Sandusky. But with the help of his psychologist, he was able to expose Sandusky for what he is and to follow through, legally, to his arrest and conviction even as the officials dragged their heels for years. For me, the power of this story lies in Aaron's willingness to expose himself emotionally to put an end to Sandusky's activities. If only other silent victims could do the same. Perhaps then these pedophiles would be run out of town for good.
I confess I was pretty agitated reading this. To think that this man could go to Aaron's school and have him pulled from the classroom - repeatedly - and the school officials chose to comply with his requests. Apparently, Sandusky had other boys pulled from the classroom on a regular basis. What the HELL did those staff people think was going on??? And don't get me started on that piece of **** Sandusky is married to, who chose to remain upstairs while the boys were being tortured - let's not mince words here - in her basement. So many people chose to let this man, no, this monster, prey on young, helpless, innocent boys because they were too comfortable in their own lives. Doing something about what they had to have known, or at least suspected, was going on would have been "painful" for them. So, instead, they enabled (yes, enabled) Sandusky to inflict mental and physical pain on boys who couldn't defend themselves.
At first, Aaron just wanted to get away from Sandusky. But with the help of his psychologist, he was able to expose Sandusky for what he is and to follow through, legally, to his arrest and conviction even as the officials dragged their heels for years. For me, the power of this story lies in Aaron's willingness to expose himself emotionally to put an end to Sandusky's activities. If only other silent victims could do the same. Perhaps then these pedophiles would be run out of town for good.
February 17, 2013
Fascinating book. I have so much respect for the courage and tenacity of Aaron Fisher, and for the counselor Michael Gillum who encouraged him and supported him in his journey toward recovery. This book clearly illustrates the brainwashing of a child by a sexual predator, and illustrates why it is so difficult for a child to transition into understanding that he or she is a victim. It also illustrates the difficulty for the child of then coming around to accusing the perpetrator. I haven't seen another book that traces this transformation in the child victim's perspective so well. The book also illuminates how and why it can take so long for a parent to see that a child is being victimized by a family friend. This is a valuable book for anyone involved in the life of a child who has been victimized. It's a book that can help a supportive adult learn how to understand, support, and encourage a victim to regain ownership of his/her life.
The book is written by three people who alternate chapters. Those three are the boy who was victimized, the counselor, and the boy's mother. The counselor I think has more chapters than the other two, but all three are clearly heard and the counselor ties all the stories together very well.
The book is written by three people who alternate chapters. Those three are the boy who was victimized, the counselor, and the boy's mother. The counselor I think has more chapters than the other two, but all three are clearly heard and the counselor ties all the stories together very well.
November 25, 2012
What is there to say? I wish this book hadn't had to be written, but Aaron is truly a hero. Without his courage and determination, persistence and demand for justice, Jerry Sandusky would still be abusing little boys who can't protect themselves. Knowing victims of abuse and how hard it can be for them to come forward, I applaud Aaron. And I applaud all the other victims who came forward.
The added tragedy to this case is the absolutely disgusting way so many people treated it. Those who knew about the abuse but didn't say anything, those who refused to believe the truth, and those who were more concerned with Joe Paterno than sick abuse that had been going on should be forever ashamed of themselves. It's not easy for abuse victims to come forward and those people most definitely made it harder.
This isn't a book you read for pleasure. It's not something to read for fun. It's not light. It is heart-wrenching. It is difficult to see how many people let this go on. But it is a book worth reading.
The added tragedy to this case is the absolutely disgusting way so many people treated it. Those who knew about the abuse but didn't say anything, those who refused to believe the truth, and those who were more concerned with Joe Paterno than sick abuse that had been going on should be forever ashamed of themselves. It's not easy for abuse victims to come forward and those people most definitely made it harder.
This isn't a book you read for pleasure. It's not something to read for fun. It's not light. It is heart-wrenching. It is difficult to see how many people let this go on. But it is a book worth reading.
July 28, 2015
I, of course, have sympathy for Aaron and his family and beyond angry at the atrocities inflicted by the political and judicial systems, my review will be based solely on the book and not on the situation or those involved.
This book was not written well and, to be honest, I am curious as to whether or not it was even edited. Aaron's writing is understandably juvenile, but I had hoped for better from his psychologist, Mike, and was, regrettably, let down. I have to agree with others who felt the book was thrown together in an attempt to piggyback the attention received from the case. If I had to read one more line about how Mike hadn't slept since his first meeting with Aaron or how Aaron used to be a great track star, I was going to throw the book across the room. The repetition and lack of intelligent or engaging prose was maddening!
This book was not written well and, to be honest, I am curious as to whether or not it was even edited. Aaron's writing is understandably juvenile, but I had hoped for better from his psychologist, Mike, and was, regrettably, let down. I have to agree with others who felt the book was thrown together in an attempt to piggyback the attention received from the case. If I had to read one more line about how Mike hadn't slept since his first meeting with Aaron or how Aaron used to be a great track star, I was going to throw the book across the room. The repetition and lack of intelligent or engaging prose was maddening!
July 12, 2016
From England, I had never heard of this case or realised how much importance was placed on Jerry Sandusky. Written from Aaron, his therapist Mike and his mother Dawn's points of view this was an interesting insight into a young man who should not have had to have gone through both the abuse at the hands of Sandusky and the abuse at the hands of the state. The red tape placed in taking the case forward and having to keep repeating himself to various State Troopers was shocking and I'm glad Aaron has such a great support system by his side.
August 3, 2016
Thank you to the author/s for this book.
August 24, 2018
Very compelling story. I had never heard the story of this case before, although I knew it happened. It was very interesting to read about. The book was well written and I liked that it was told through three different points of view. It was informative and helps me going forward, as a mom. So glad that they caught him and that Aaron was so willing to share his story.
December 31, 2012
What a brave guy Aaron Fisher is! It was very interesting to read how Sandusky, as a pedophile, evolved. I don't know Sandusky's childhood story, but I bet he was sexually abused. Anyway, this book is about Fisher and the ups and downs he went through as "Victim #1." He's a survivor!
June 9, 2017
I found this one kinda dragged on a lot. It went from Aaron talking, to his mother, to his psychologist and back again... I would have liked it more if it was entirely his story. Took me a couple weeks to finish and it's only 200ish pages.
October 31, 2012
Aaron is a true hero. Mike is a hero too for taking his job seriously and for advocating for Aaron come what may.
September 20, 2025
The author of this book was a victim of Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky had been a couch at Penn State University for the majority of his career, serving as an assistant coach to Joe Paterno. While at Penn State, Sandusky had been abusing boys. One witness said they walked in on Sandusky raping a boy in the shower. This was reported to Joe Paterno, and his response, or lack thereof, left a lot to be desired. Eventually, eight other boys were brought into this case that was first reported by the author of this book. Sandusky did give interviews to the media, in which he said some very questionable things. The entire justice process for this took an obscenely long time, and I had hoped it was just due to the nature of the investigation, but I believe it was a little more than that. People hate to admit that people they admire for whatever reason could do something heinous to others. People love to defend people that absolutely should not. There were many people who failed these children, the author specifically, in the school systems. The reaction from the administration of the author's school had me ready to crawl through that book and thump some people. It was atrocious. I cannot imagine how stressful it must be for someone so young to be faced with such a thing after enduring traumatic abuse.
I would like to add that I looked up this case for any recent updates, and Sandusky was resentenced. In 2023, his lawyers filed a motion for a new trial on the basis that police and others were coaching accusers on what to say. This motion was denied. (Thankfully.) In the course of checking for case updates, I found that one of Sandusky's sons is also in prison for...you guessed it...child sex crimes.
I started this yesterday at work and finished it today. I wasn't terribly familiar with the Sandusky case, but this book was a good deal and I got it this past weekend. I have a several major points that I took away from this book. 1. People just simply do not believe kids. 2. The people in this author's school were trash. 3. The people that said vicious things about the author and his family are also trash. 4. I am so glad that the author was partnered with a mental health professional that actually cared and made him comfortable. 5. Folks will cover up ANYTHING. I think the author is a tremendously brave person and probably did save other kids from suffering the same (or worse) abuse. Despite the horrible trauma it caused him, he has really tried to come out on top and help others, which I think is wonderful of him. I hope he has the best life he can possibly have.
I would like to add that I looked up this case for any recent updates, and Sandusky was resentenced. In 2023, his lawyers filed a motion for a new trial on the basis that police and others were coaching accusers on what to say. This motion was denied. (Thankfully.) In the course of checking for case updates, I found that one of Sandusky's sons is also in prison for...you guessed it...child sex crimes.
I started this yesterday at work and finished it today. I wasn't terribly familiar with the Sandusky case, but this book was a good deal and I got it this past weekend. I have a several major points that I took away from this book. 1. People just simply do not believe kids. 2. The people in this author's school were trash. 3. The people that said vicious things about the author and his family are also trash. 4. I am so glad that the author was partnered with a mental health professional that actually cared and made him comfortable. 5. Folks will cover up ANYTHING. I think the author is a tremendously brave person and probably did save other kids from suffering the same (or worse) abuse. Despite the horrible trauma it caused him, he has really tried to come out on top and help others, which I think is wonderful of him. I hope he has the best life he can possibly have.
May 22, 2013
Silent No More is a concise, brutally honest report of the Jerry Sandusky trial for sexual abuse and consequent conviction. The story is told from the viewpoints of Victim #1, Aaron Fisher, Michael Gillum, a licensed psychologist, and Dawn Daniels, Aaron's mother. Aaron was only eleven when Jerry took an interest in him under the guise that he had no father and wanted to mentor the boy. Jerry gave Aaron gifts, insinuated himself into Aaron's family, and took him to football games at Penn State. Aaron's mother defends herself by stating that Jerry was an icon who started a camp for boys at risk called The Second Mile and had a hero status. Aaron said the abuse started slowly and escalated by the time he turned fifteen when he separated himself from Jerry. Jerry went crazy calling Aaron's home at all times of the day and night and haunted him at school. He finally told counselors at his school, but they were intimidated by Sandusky's status and did not report the allegations. Once the charges were filed, the lead prosecutor refused to antagonize the Penn State community because he was running for public office. It took three years from the time the abuse was reported until the case went to court. The toll on Victim #1 was panic attacks that required hospitalization, having to repeat his allegations over and over and a car wreck that may not have been accidental. The book is an excellent account of sexual predators and their "grooming" of children.
April 8, 2013
I wanted to read this book because of the "sports scandal" of Penn State being titled the "BIGGEST scandal...." as a couple of my family members are really sports oriented and I wanted to learn about it from the person most affected. I was aghast that the cover up of this monster Jerry Sandusky included such once highly thought of "leaders" as Coach Paterno and the political figure at that time who was running for Governor, Tom Corbett. I am appalled that there were so many people who "knew" about this and tried to squelch/ignore it. Jerry Sandusky is a snake in the grass, so manipulative of all of those around him. I was so disappointed to read that even Sandusky's wife probably knew he was molesting children and she was one who knowingly turned her head as well. God Bless those people who did try and help but were fired and/or ignored-squelched.
This young man, Aaron Fisher is a true hero for having the courage to step forward. God bless him as his actions stopped this monster from preying on other boys. The book tells the story from three different angles: the victim, the mother of the victim and the wonderful psychologist assigned to the case. It was a book that was hard to put down. Sad to hear of the nightmare this young man endured, but also redeeming as Aaron Fisher is now on a path of healing for himself. He so deserves a huge break.
This young man, Aaron Fisher is a true hero for having the courage to step forward. God bless him as his actions stopped this monster from preying on other boys. The book tells the story from three different angles: the victim, the mother of the victim and the wonderful psychologist assigned to the case. It was a book that was hard to put down. Sad to hear of the nightmare this young man endured, but also redeeming as Aaron Fisher is now on a path of healing for himself. He so deserves a huge break.
February 10, 2013
I am writing a review of this book purely because I find it funny that there is an option to, not that I would expect goodreads to disable the 'write review' feature for one book only, it's just funny to imagine what someone might say in something like this.
"His heartbreaking struggle was illustrated poorly through his terrible cliches and tired metaphors."
"This should be a movie directed by Michael Bay."
"I thought it was so-so, he should have gone into more detail, I want my money back."
But anyway, this was hard and frustrating to read obviously because of how horrifying it is, and I think its remarkable that he pushed himself to retell this story a million times to a million different social workers before justice was finally served. I hope this book will open a lot of eyes and possibly prevent other instances of this. I didn't know what to rate it, I gave it 4 stars because if I gave it 5 it would look creepy. It was interesting and heartbreaking to read and it paints a perfect picture of what a monster Jerry Sandusky truly was.
"His heartbreaking struggle was illustrated poorly through his terrible cliches and tired metaphors."
"This should be a movie directed by Michael Bay."
"I thought it was so-so, he should have gone into more detail, I want my money back."
But anyway, this was hard and frustrating to read obviously because of how horrifying it is, and I think its remarkable that he pushed himself to retell this story a million times to a million different social workers before justice was finally served. I hope this book will open a lot of eyes and possibly prevent other instances of this. I didn't know what to rate it, I gave it 4 stars because if I gave it 5 it would look creepy. It was interesting and heartbreaking to read and it paints a perfect picture of what a monster Jerry Sandusky truly was.
July 7, 2018
This book gets all the stars. It was beautifully written from each persons point of view. Aaron, his mom Dawn and his very, very supporting psychologist. I could not even imagine Aaron being so young and confused and something soooo horrible happening to him and knowing deep inside how it felt wrong. You will be disturbed. You will cry and you will definitely get sooo angry of how Aaron felt defeated even coming forward with what was going on. Knowing full well why he decided sooo many times to be against saying anything because no one will believe him due to this sick pedophile was. Knowing somehow covers ups were happening due to this “outstanding” person and his title. Aaron was able to pull through though, thanks to the two people that were in his corner.
May 8, 2017
Recommended by Linda, Main Library Adult Services, Five Stars, May 2017
Linda's Review:
For 20 years Jerry Sandusky, famed football coach and youth mentor got away with molesting young boys. Finally one boy, Aaron Fisher, decided to say “No more!” With courage and honesty this book reveals “Victim # 1’s” tragic road from innocent 11 year old child to a young man eager for justice and healing. While reading this book I felt angry at how a powerful man could hurt so many children and how other powerful people could turn a blind eye to his horrific crimes.
Linda's Review:
For 20 years Jerry Sandusky, famed football coach and youth mentor got away with molesting young boys. Finally one boy, Aaron Fisher, decided to say “No more!” With courage and honesty this book reveals “Victim # 1’s” tragic road from innocent 11 year old child to a young man eager for justice and healing. While reading this book I felt angry at how a powerful man could hurt so many children and how other powerful people could turn a blind eye to his horrific crimes.
June 11, 2013
Not an easy read, obviously, and not every victim is able to tell his story in the most compelling way. But I applaud Fisher for going public, and I do hope that telling his story is helping him heal and paving the way for the other victims to get the help they need to move past Sandusky's abuse.
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