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Nobody Believed Me: A Harrowing True Story of Abuse Survival
While far from idyllic, Lesley’s first three years were happy ones. She was a cheerful little girl who loved her parents, grandparents and her sister. But when tragedy strikes her fragile family, Lesley’s world is turned upside down. She is adopted by a cruel, sadistic couple, who force her to go and live in Scotland, far away from those she loves. Aged just four, Lesley is torn away from her secure, loving world and taken to live in what she would later describe as ‘The Devil’s House’. There she discovers just how evil and vicious humanity can be, and just how many ways there are to hurt and humiliate an innocent child. The vicious daily beatings make her fear for her life but almost worse is the way the neglect and humiliation makes her feel totally worthless. The psychological damage of being called useless, thick, stupid, as well as the name calling, has far-reaching consequences. The world around Lesley is an unkind place. The adults she turns to for help refuse to believe her story and her school friends ridicule her. Then there’s her adoptive siblings, who are all too happy to treat her as their slave, humiliate her and in one case subject her to a shocking depraved attack. Desperate to save herself, Lesley seeks help time and time again, but no one believes her. Can she keep her dream of escaping alive? And will she ever find someone on her side? This is the true story of how one little girl survived eleven brutal years at the mercy of two sick, sadistic abusers.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2018
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565 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 11, 2019
Just reading Lesley's story makes my blood boil. How can anyone treat another person the way she was treated, is beyond belief, never mind a three year old.
Those abuses should have been locked away and the key thrown away. The so called "brother" is disgusting and to be honest, so is the uncle taking for taking the pictures of poor Lesley.
Lesley, I am so sorry you had to endure the things you did. I really hope you have found some peace in your life. I hope you write another book and get your whole story out there. Best wishes to you.
Those abuses should have been locked away and the key thrown away. The so called "brother" is disgusting and to be honest, so is the uncle taking for taking the pictures of poor Lesley.
Lesley, I am so sorry you had to endure the things you did. I really hope you have found some peace in your life. I hope you write another book and get your whole story out there. Best wishes to you.
December 18, 2019
Relateable!
This story hits so close to home! I lived a very similar childhood sometimes worse. I applaud you for your bravery in writing this story and for continuing to fight even when death seemed to be the only way to end the torture. Had the same thoughts as a child and nobody believed me either because whenever they took me back home my mother would play her betty home maker act too!
This story hits so close to home! I lived a very similar childhood sometimes worse. I applaud you for your bravery in writing this story and for continuing to fight even when death seemed to be the only way to end the torture. Had the same thoughts as a child and nobody believed me either because whenever they took me back home my mother would play her betty home maker act too!
March 30, 2020
Nobody believed me either
I was abused as a child by my father. I continued to be abused in various relationships until I grew to understand what love really was. I eventually learned to practice self care instead of self abuse. A long and painful journey. Nobody believed me either...
I was abused as a child by my father. I continued to be abused in various relationships until I grew to understand what love really was. I eventually learned to practice self care instead of self abuse. A long and painful journey. Nobody believed me either...
October 19, 2019
Sad story, poorly written
Each page is a repeat of the last. Couldn’t get through it. Sad story, unfortunately not engaging. Style is repetitive.
Each page is a repeat of the last. Couldn’t get through it. Sad story, unfortunately not engaging. Style is repetitive.
June 17, 2019
Frightening story about the mental and physical abuse suffered by Lesley at the hands of two family friends who adopted her when her father committed suicide and her mother could not cope.
Pam and Nuri dealt out daily beatings and subjected Lesley to mental and physical torture and treated her little more than a slave.
Lesley escaped when she was 16 to work in a childrens home looking after small children who had been through the same ordeal.
The writing was a little basic but still well put together and an interesting yet harrowing read.
Pam and Nuri dealt out daily beatings and subjected Lesley to mental and physical torture and treated her little more than a slave.
Lesley escaped when she was 16 to work in a childrens home looking after small children who had been through the same ordeal.
The writing was a little basic but still well put together and an interesting yet harrowing read.
December 11, 2018
Scary that such things happen. Very insightful into the world of a very small little girl.
Very emotional story. Makes you think. There is always someone worse off than yourself. Very brave girl/young lady. You should be very proud.
Very emotional story. Makes you think. There is always someone worse off than yourself. Very brave girl/young lady. You should be very proud.
July 17, 2020
I feel sorry for everything this poor girl went through. I feel sure there is some stories she left out. I didnt like this book though. It was repetitive and it felt like my 3 year old wrote it. I was able to finish in 1 day,but again I did not like the way it was written.
February 6, 2020
A lot of repeating but what an emotional story of surviving.
December 29, 2018
Poor Me Gets Tiring After A While
You need patience for this tale of woe. The tone was very whiny. This daughter of an Iranian Bahai mother and White English father born in England was adopted by another interracial Bahai couple in Scotland at the age of 3. You would think they kidnapped her the way she talks and makes up her mind that she will never settle in even as a barely 5 year old. These people, awful as the might have been, were her legal parents, yet that never seemed to click in her head. Even her beloved maternal grandparents who arranged the adoption of their granddaughters cannot make her understand and accept that simple fact.
I get the sense that the adoptive parents sensed her resentment and stubbornness, which didn't help to endear her to them. Admittedly they were very demanding, strict, and at times abusive parents but seeing as we're talking about 1960s Scotland I am not too surprised. Still the author had little to no appreciation for small efforts to do right by her.
When she was unfairly punished by her teacher it was the adoptive mother who came to the school, figured out little Lesley couldn't see well, and told the teacher off for the error. She further took Lesley to the optometrist to get some glasses, but because she could not have the frames she wanted this was labelled as more "cruelty".
She deliberately got herself kicked out of a prestigious private school for no other reason than to spite her adoptive parents. Then she got mad when her adoptive mother wouldn't buy her a new blazer to attend public school.
Her bedroom was miserable although it had a bed and a few other odds and ends. She didn't get to play outside because she had a lot of chores and her homework had to meet a certain standard. Her toys weren't girly enough. Nothing was good enough.
Chapter after chapter of how Bahai is a cult although her grandparents are members, she isn't dressed satisfactorily, and every infraction brings a whipping with a riding crop or knock around the back. Little Lesley ran away and complained repeatedly about "these monsters" only to be brought straight back by the police who for some strange reason didn't notice she had been beaten half to death. When she saw her grandparents they too disapproved of this running away, always returned her to her adoptive parents, and threatened she wouldn't see them again if she didn't stop it. What did she do? Ran away again!
Then the book just ended abruptly in 1974 when she finished school and got her first job. What about her mother? Grandparents? Younger sister? All these years she wanted to get back to her "real family", but doesn't mention anything about it. The grandparents already seemed quite fed up with Lesley and the ending makes it seem like nobody else had any further dealings with her either.
Maybe this story would have been better if told in first person as the author's childhood recollections. The third person narrative is just miserable and plodding.
You need patience for this tale of woe. The tone was very whiny. This daughter of an Iranian Bahai mother and White English father born in England was adopted by another interracial Bahai couple in Scotland at the age of 3. You would think they kidnapped her the way she talks and makes up her mind that she will never settle in even as a barely 5 year old. These people, awful as the might have been, were her legal parents, yet that never seemed to click in her head. Even her beloved maternal grandparents who arranged the adoption of their granddaughters cannot make her understand and accept that simple fact.
I get the sense that the adoptive parents sensed her resentment and stubbornness, which didn't help to endear her to them. Admittedly they were very demanding, strict, and at times abusive parents but seeing as we're talking about 1960s Scotland I am not too surprised. Still the author had little to no appreciation for small efforts to do right by her.
When she was unfairly punished by her teacher it was the adoptive mother who came to the school, figured out little Lesley couldn't see well, and told the teacher off for the error. She further took Lesley to the optometrist to get some glasses, but because she could not have the frames she wanted this was labelled as more "cruelty".
She deliberately got herself kicked out of a prestigious private school for no other reason than to spite her adoptive parents. Then she got mad when her adoptive mother wouldn't buy her a new blazer to attend public school.
Her bedroom was miserable although it had a bed and a few other odds and ends. She didn't get to play outside because she had a lot of chores and her homework had to meet a certain standard. Her toys weren't girly enough. Nothing was good enough.
Chapter after chapter of how Bahai is a cult although her grandparents are members, she isn't dressed satisfactorily, and every infraction brings a whipping with a riding crop or knock around the back. Little Lesley ran away and complained repeatedly about "these monsters" only to be brought straight back by the police who for some strange reason didn't notice she had been beaten half to death. When she saw her grandparents they too disapproved of this running away, always returned her to her adoptive parents, and threatened she wouldn't see them again if she didn't stop it. What did she do? Ran away again!
Then the book just ended abruptly in 1974 when she finished school and got her first job. What about her mother? Grandparents? Younger sister? All these years she wanted to get back to her "real family", but doesn't mention anything about it. The grandparents already seemed quite fed up with Lesley and the ending makes it seem like nobody else had any further dealings with her either.
Maybe this story would have been better if told in first person as the author's childhood recollections. The third person narrative is just miserable and plodding.
May 18, 2020
Read by Another One Who Lived Similar
I am a Childhood Neglect and Traumatic abuses Survivor. I highly recommend this book to all. If not for the slightest glimmer of hope for those like Leslie and myself, then to open up your own eyes to the hurting children in your life and around your neighborhood or schools.
I am a Childhood Neglect and Traumatic abuses Survivor. I highly recommend this book to all. If not for the slightest glimmer of hope for those like Leslie and myself, then to open up your own eyes to the hurting children in your life and around your neighborhood or schools.
May 10, 2020
Heartbreaking
I was completely infuriated and wanted to kill Leslie’s abusers. I was amazed that Leslie remained spirited and did not blame herself for the abuse. I got through the book in a day. I am so sorry for what Leslie went though, she is a hero! I’m completely pissed that her grandparents have her up and allowed her to go back to that hell. I’m also pissed the police did nothing. It was very frustrating and I am so proud of Leslie for her strength and strong sense of self. I do think the book could have gone into more detail about her thoughts and relationships but I also understand it would be very painful for Leslie.
I was completely infuriated and wanted to kill Leslie’s abusers. I was amazed that Leslie remained spirited and did not blame herself for the abuse. I got through the book in a day. I am so sorry for what Leslie went though, she is a hero! I’m completely pissed that her grandparents have her up and allowed her to go back to that hell. I’m also pissed the police did nothing. It was very frustrating and I am so proud of Leslie for her strength and strong sense of self. I do think the book could have gone into more detail about her thoughts and relationships but I also understand it would be very painful for Leslie.
April 28, 2020
HORRID PEOPLE, HORRID LIFE
I'm always dumbfounded at the abuse of children ! These sadistic excuse for human beings stealing the innocence of a child, showing absolutely no compassion for the child's traumatuc events. Yet to severely abuse the child physically, emotionally, mentally ... How some children come out of it is thru sheer determination and strength and, a will to live...I would love to know what turned the adoptive mother into the sadist she was and of course the husband was as guilty. Keep persevering Lesley. You made it this far! I'm always impressed by the will and determination of anyone who has come out of the evil depths of madness from the hands of others. I suggest this book as a source of encouragement to others who can't see beyond the end of the tunnel.
I'm always dumbfounded at the abuse of children ! These sadistic excuse for human beings stealing the innocence of a child, showing absolutely no compassion for the child's traumatuc events. Yet to severely abuse the child physically, emotionally, mentally ... How some children come out of it is thru sheer determination and strength and, a will to live...I would love to know what turned the adoptive mother into the sadist she was and of course the husband was as guilty. Keep persevering Lesley. You made it this far! I'm always impressed by the will and determination of anyone who has come out of the evil depths of madness from the hands of others. I suggest this book as a source of encouragement to others who can't see beyond the end of the tunnel.
July 10, 2020
Absolutely heartbreaking!
This story was absolutely heartbreaking and gut-wenching. My heart ached for little Lesley and I just wished I could jump into the story and tell her that I believed her, then take her in to live with me! I was so glad and relieved when she FINALLY was rescued and received the life and peace that she deserved but I just wished it happened much sooner so she could have been spared from anymore emotional and physical pain. No child deserves to endure abuse and I couldn't even begin to comprehend how anyone could be capable of committing such heinous, malicious and evil acts. I hope Lesley's life is full of so much love and quality now! I just could not put this book down. I had to keep reading on to see what happened next!
This story was absolutely heartbreaking and gut-wenching. My heart ached for little Lesley and I just wished I could jump into the story and tell her that I believed her, then take her in to live with me! I was so glad and relieved when she FINALLY was rescued and received the life and peace that she deserved but I just wished it happened much sooner so she could have been spared from anymore emotional and physical pain. No child deserves to endure abuse and I couldn't even begin to comprehend how anyone could be capable of committing such heinous, malicious and evil acts. I hope Lesley's life is full of so much love and quality now! I just could not put this book down. I had to keep reading on to see what happened next!
March 16, 2020
A True Story of a Abuse Survivor
Lesley was let down by so many adults in her life it is shocking. Her Grandparents even put their heads in the sand for their own selfish and ignorant reasons. I was so happy that her friend helped her get the help she needed to escape her abusers and their biological children that they trained to be as evil as they were. They should have been prosecuted tho. I hope that these evil sub humans are prosecuted in our current society and don't get away with this sociopathic garbage like these people did. Makes me wonder if their evil children have passed on their sick legacy. God bless you Lesley. You deserve happiness.
Lesley was let down by so many adults in her life it is shocking. Her Grandparents even put their heads in the sand for their own selfish and ignorant reasons. I was so happy that her friend helped her get the help she needed to escape her abusers and their biological children that they trained to be as evil as they were. They should have been prosecuted tho. I hope that these evil sub humans are prosecuted in our current society and don't get away with this sociopathic garbage like these people did. Makes me wonder if their evil children have passed on their sick legacy. God bless you Lesley. You deserve happiness.
March 16, 2020
Jeano38no
A good read. As I worked for 25 years in the field of child abuse. I felt such a kinship with the author. Many children are abused all over the world. Some escape many never get to escape. The author really brought u into the world of emotional, physical and verbal abuse. You winced whenever you came back to the home knowing she would be abused simply because she lived there.
A good read. As I worked for 25 years in the field of child abuse. I felt such a kinship with the author. Many children are abused all over the world. Some escape many never get to escape. The author really brought u into the world of emotional, physical and verbal abuse. You winced whenever you came back to the home knowing she would be abused simply because she lived there.
April 9, 2019
Excellent book, please read it for yourself
Excellent read, couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who has been abused, and for nonabused people. It gives an excellent and very harrowing account of a small child, being brought up by a couple who relished punishment on the little girl on a daily basis
Excellent read, couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who has been abused, and for nonabused people. It gives an excellent and very harrowing account of a small child, being brought up by a couple who relished punishment on the little girl on a daily basis
July 10, 2019
Heartbreaking and hard to read
There are no words for how this book made me feel. I was sickened and saddened that this poor girl was treated as she was. Being a mother of three beautiful girls-imagining anyone ever hurting them like this made my stomach turn. While reading was difficult-I appreciated the story of truth and glad for the ending to be as it was.
There are no words for how this book made me feel. I was sickened and saddened that this poor girl was treated as she was. Being a mother of three beautiful girls-imagining anyone ever hurting them like this made my stomach turn. While reading was difficult-I appreciated the story of truth and glad for the ending to be as it was.
April 26, 2020
My opinion
Lesley Newman's "Nobody believed me:..." was an easy read. Her way of telling her story in third person was different for me in reading. She stated in her Afterwards that there is more to follow. How she endured this brutality is beyond me but looking forward to reading more.
Lesley Newman's "Nobody believed me:..." was an easy read. Her way of telling her story in third person was different for me in reading. She stated in her Afterwards that there is more to follow. How she endured this brutality is beyond me but looking forward to reading more.
March 12, 2019
Great
I really felt for Lesley she had a lot to deal with in her young life they evil monsters got away too lightly id have named nd shamed them publicly well done in surviving to tell your story and having the life you said deserved x
I really felt for Lesley she had a lot to deal with in her young life they evil monsters got away too lightly id have named nd shamed them publicly well done in surviving to tell your story and having the life you said deserved x
March 30, 2019
Lesley
How can anyone abuse a little child for no reason and all the crys for help went unanswered that poor child didn't deserve this happening to her and in reality those adoptive parents got away with it 5 stars for the bravery of this young lady .
How can anyone abuse a little child for no reason and all the crys for help went unanswered that poor child didn't deserve this happening to her and in reality those adoptive parents got away with it 5 stars for the bravery of this young lady .
July 23, 2019
Haunting story
This book gives me a better understanding of the dysfunctional families that foster children are taken from and how these children just need kindness and someone to listen.
This book gives me a better understanding of the dysfunctional families that foster children are taken from and how these children just need kindness and someone to listen.
November 2, 2019
Good but not well written
Lesley went through some horrific things and it's a sad but triumphant story but is not well written and slightly hard to read.
Lesley went through some horrific things and it's a sad but triumphant story but is not well written and slightly hard to read.
February 18, 2020
Good read
Amazing story about a young girl who made it past her abusers. This book could give hope to other girls in the same position
Amazing story about a young girl who made it past her abusers. This book could give hope to other girls in the same position
March 15, 2020
I am truly lost for words.
I cannot grasp what these monsters put you through. Pure rotten evil.
To know that you came out the other end , warms my heart.
I cannot grasp what these monsters put you through. Pure rotten evil.
To know that you came out the other end , warms my heart.
March 22, 2020
Good read.
Really enjoyed the fast pace and the brutal honesty. Very good read. Would recommend to anyone who deals with children that have run away or been abused.
Really enjoyed the fast pace and the brutal honesty. Very good read. Would recommend to anyone who deals with children that have run away or been abused.
April 20, 2020
Wow
I read all of this book in 1 night I couldn't put it down. Very brave Lesley well done x
I read all of this book in 1 night I couldn't put it down. Very brave Lesley well done x
September 7, 2022
So sad what happened to Lesley. No child should ever have to go through what she went through. But this book was horribly written. Very repetitive. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone!
February 25, 2020
Unsatisfied at the end
I chose this rating for several reasons. I felt the writing was redundant. The same lines were repeated verbatim. I respect the fact that the author may not be a trained writer, but an editor should have help with technique and content. This woman was treated in barbaric fashion. It was unexplainable and unforgivable, but entirely believable. I wanted to more resolution at the end. Did Lesley reunite with her grandparents? Was her sister located? Was Lesley ever able to confront her mother with long overdue questions? In my opinion, including this information would've provided for a more satisfying ending.
I chose this rating for several reasons. I felt the writing was redundant. The same lines were repeated verbatim. I respect the fact that the author may not be a trained writer, but an editor should have help with technique and content. This woman was treated in barbaric fashion. It was unexplainable and unforgivable, but entirely believable. I wanted to more resolution at the end. Did Lesley reunite with her grandparents? Was her sister located? Was Lesley ever able to confront her mother with long overdue questions? In my opinion, including this information would've provided for a more satisfying ending.
October 7, 2019
Heartbreaking
The things suffered by the author are devastating and difficult to read, but I believe it is important for stories like these to be in the light. I think the story would have been better told from the first person. Also, memoirs are usually not just a tale of horror but a tale of how the subject ultimately overcame. What this author suffered was horrifying and seemingly insurmountable. The tone of the tale is understandably bitter, but I truly hope the author has been able to get her well deserved peace.
The things suffered by the author are devastating and difficult to read, but I believe it is important for stories like these to be in the light. I think the story would have been better told from the first person. Also, memoirs are usually not just a tale of horror but a tale of how the subject ultimately overcame. What this author suffered was horrifying and seemingly insurmountable. The tone of the tale is understandably bitter, but I truly hope the author has been able to get her well deserved peace.
October 4, 2020
Strength
Lesley
Reading this story broke my heart and also filled it with emotions that I can't express. Heartbreak for the laws that kept returning you to your hell, heartbreak for your grandparents who were not able to help you, disdain for the "mean girls" and such admiration for Margo, and for you. You showed such strength and fortitude during your time there, I can't imagine how difficult that was. I am so grateful that you found your escape and that you were able to help other "unwanted children" and give them the love that you did not receive
Lesley
Reading this story broke my heart and also filled it with emotions that I can't express. Heartbreak for the laws that kept returning you to your hell, heartbreak for your grandparents who were not able to help you, disdain for the "mean girls" and such admiration for Margo, and for you. You showed such strength and fortitude during your time there, I can't imagine how difficult that was. I am so grateful that you found your escape and that you were able to help other "unwanted children" and give them the love that you did not receive
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews