Overcoming Sexual Abuse: “Music Is Responsible For Saving My Life.”
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2024
- Joey Suarez was surrounded by sexual abuse in his family. His father abused Joey's sisters, and his grandfather abused him. The only thing that helped him through his struggle--until his father and grandfather went away--was immersing himself in music. You can learn more about Joey's music at joeysuarez.com/
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Amazing how this guy can sit there and talk about abuse w/out choking on his words. I reckon he got through it w/ therapy as well
you can get trough it with alot of willpower and therapy. but no therapy will help if you're not willing to let go. trust me lettin go is the hardest part of it all
Justin Case letting go is only possible when you’re the one holding on.
You're a brave human being. The world is better because you're in it. Thank you for sharing your story.
As a fellow survivor, thank you for sharing your story. You are truly an inspiration.
😭😭😭😭😭 So sad when he finally said that his home only became a refuge at age 12! OMG, this is so incredibly tragic! The father abused his sisters, and the grandfather abused him. Jesus, what a horrible thing to happen to one family. Great to know that he had a life-saver--his music.
What an amazing guy to be able to talk about such pain!
I wish Him all the very best for his future.
You went through a terrible past, I hope you'll have a bright future with your music and your family.
Joey, your courage in telling this story about your life is so awesome. "Out of adversity comes the call to greatness" is a motto proven true by your life. I am so proud of you and so grateful for you. May you always continue your ascendency to greatness. You are the best, my bro...............Ray
It takes courage and immense strength to overcome so many traumatizing hardships. I'm very moved by how strong you are.
I want to give him a hug.
Music is truly a gift from the gods. peace x
So, your grandpa abused your father (highly likely) and then your father abused your sisters, but then later you grandfather abused you. If only all victims could speak out and get the proper help, and then sometimes create more victims. Glad to see you are the end of the chain of evil, and then you rose beyond it. I am sure it is still a struggle - I only hope you can now (or soon) have healthy sexual and romantic relationships. If not, keep working for it - you are worth it.
He already has healthy romantic relationships.
How strong you are for coming out of this ok, and being able to speak about it now. I don't have the numbers, and fortunately it didn't happen to me, but it did happen in our extended family and I suspect it's endemic in most societies. Talking about it, confronting and reporting offenders it the only way to minimize this problem. I hope you're ok now.
You are so brave to tell your story!!!
Very brave to share that. That is a very hard situation to handle. Family trauma like that is very hard to process, especially for the person who’s gone through that trauma. A few years ago I found out someone in my family was abused like that for many years. Was very hard to process that information and was angry. I grew up going to that abusers house, not knowing that awful side of them till years after they passed away.
Music is magic.
Truly inspiring, I can relate so much, because I have been sexually harrassed by my father, but mostly abused. I dealt with my pain through music and it truly helps
Oh my. I hate that this happens.... I hate it so much.
You're so brave. So grateful that you shared your story. Music is indeed powerful and one of the only friends people really have.
Such an impactful story. This young man has managed to survive and to thrive which is so great to see.
Thanks for sharing Joey. Love Patrick
You are a strong person. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a strong young man. Thank you for sharing your story, for surviving, and for being a voice.
I hate parents who feel entitled to invade their children's privacy and not only that but broadcast it to others, as if it is theirs to share. If your kids wanted you to know they'd looked at porn, they would tell you.
+4islandbeauty You must be a parent who feels entitled to invade your child's privacy and share what you find with others.
You brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks for sharing.
i´ve seen many testimonies but i can assure yours touched my heart! thanks for sharing your history in such a beautiful way!
You are a brave and strong young man; it takes a lot of courage to put up with all the hell you lived when you were only a kid. I am sure life is going to reward you for being so valiant and for choosing to keep going with your life. God always bless you and protects you.
You are so brave. Thank you for sharing your story!!
Thank you for being so brave and articulate!
What an amazing story. I'm so glad that music saved your life. It's such a powerful force. It sounds like it's given you a voice in this life. I admire your courage to speak truth to your grandfather and family.
OMG thank you SO much for sharing your story. Your bravery is highly commendable. You are a beautiful, strong, powerful soul and your light shines beyond measure. I wish you peace, love, and prosperity.
Thanks for sharing your story, Joey! You're awesome and so strong.
Yes the piano got me through life as well. I am a survivor. I lived for the time everyday I could play again. It has been my best friend and continues to literally heal the soul. I think what it is is that it allows us to create another world. A fantasy world.I think some Jungian psychologists (James Hollie?) talk about seperating your inner and outer world. Music is an example of the former. It even helps people will fatal illnesses. People find spiritual peace within themselves whatever is happening to them or around them. Music is very important, but I feel musical education is not as valued today as it once was.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. YOU ARE A VERY STRONG YOUNG MAN INSIDE AND OUT. YOU ARE A WALKING INSPIRATION TO MANY! STAY SAFE & MUCH LOVE*
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you can find peace after what you have been through.
You are so brave, so amazing. Thank you for sharing story 😊
Over and again as I watch the IFD stories I feel a sense of shame for the ungenerous, hurtful, even cruel behavior that human beings can inflict upon one another. But that sense of shame doesn't fill me - it evaporates and is replaced by a sense of pride in the human redemption typified by the subjects. That's what fills me. Bravo, Joey.
You are such a courageous man , may the light of your heart make this world brighter !
What a brave young man. The damage this abuse does is really lifelong. But you do get to a space where you can put it in a box where it can’t hurt you anymore. The stain however, remains. I wish you well you very courageous person.
What an amazing young man you are after being betrayed at a very deep level. Certainly music seems to have been a great healer in your life, as it has been in mine. Keep going, keep healing and I am sure you will find love with a very special man one day, if you have not already.
Your very moving account of suffering and strength shows that it really is possible to achieve wisdom in the midst of torment even at your young age. I hope you will consider reaching out to an even bigger audience with a more detailed, longer account of your life and the lessons you've learned by giving a Ted Talk, for example. There are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people, young and old, who could learn so much from you! May you continue to be a blessing to all of us who have walked a similar path.
I appreciate that you shared this story. I agree music can be a strong shield. I don't know if forgiveness is the answer thou, not in these currcumstance. Reason being they constantly need reassurance that it's normal. So I don't know where that fits in. That why this affliction should end. Thanks for the video.
Joey, thank you very very much for sharing your story.
You are a strong and brave young man, God bless you
What a Mensch you are. Thank you for sharing your story. You have a fantastic life ahead of you!!!
Thank you very much for sharing your story.
you are really brave Joey keep the faith thanks for sharing your life and experiences
Thanks for having the strength Tigard your story.
You are so brave, good job. Your strength is the road to your happiness.
This is a brave and strong kid. I hope that music continues to heal him forever.
You're brave. After years of being abused I finally had the courage to speak up and to go the police after finding out there were more victims of my monster. Every day it's a struggle. The laws here in Colombia seem to protect my abuser more than the victims, he is a famous guy and he is not even in jail. He had the nerves to make a RUclips video trashing me for his millions of fans to watch. I'm scared to go out of the house alone and I'm seeing a Therapist. I haven't been able to be in a relationship, I feel not good enough and that no one will love me. I feel bad for all the children that have to go thru this hell.
I’d like to connect with this person. And anyone who wants to work through childhood trauma. Blessings to all.
thank you for sharing your beautiful story
Thank you for sharing your story. So brave.
Such a beautiful young man so smart. He got through it...... now he's in the light. God bless u sweetie many blessings to u 🙏👍
Good grief! I can’t believe that children - boys and girls - experience treatment like this, especially from their GRANDFATHERS!! What courage, such self control, this wonderful young man manifests as he sits and talks about his own life!
what he did was powerful. thanks for sharing your story. this is just words but every word i said is true 100x over. I never told my abuser what we are doing is wrong. The guy is this story played music which was powerful as you healed.
Every time I think I had a rough childhood because we grew up up, I listen to a story like this and realize how lucky I am poverty is all I had to deal with, growing up. My heart goes out to you, young man.
never before in my life have i been able to come to terms with as a child being abused. and it hits me hard everyday and as hard as i try to put it out of my mind, it always comes back
Such a powerful story. ❤️
Just fantastic inspiration.
BRAVO Joey! Having been where you are/were, I was 33 years old when I learned to dance. Music is freedom.
Joey ! Hold your head up high and move on with love in your heart ! You will find that person to make you happy !
This story is just too relatable to me. I was abused sexually, but by an older much larger, and stronger brother. I used books, and listening to music, to transport me to other places, and realities that were safe for me. I never learned to play any music, but I was able to get totally lost in it. My abuse lasted almost seven years. Nobody in my family ever learned about my abuse. Both of my parents, and the brother that abused me died, almost a decade ago. He never paid for his crimes. I did. I can never forgive him. Funny, but my dad was an abusive alcoholic child beater. Nothing sexual. I can forgive him. Guess I'm just not as strong a person as Joey Suarez.
my uncle aunt father brother brother in-law abused me from 7 a terrible childhood but you only believe it affects you I am sorry for his hurt as mine as lasted 50 years
Bless you I pray for the best for you ❤️
Jeez, what a story!!! Out of horror comes beauty!! This guy is beautiful inside and out!!! Would like to hear his music tho'.💝
What a brave kid at 12 to tell him it was wrong and he should be in jail. That is some hero like behavior. I hope you are doing well. ❤
An amazing example showing that what we need to solve our problems we have within us.
Other people, sometimes they can be so annoying, that's why when I'm alone in a quiet room I find it so relaxing.
Music was my retreat and where I hid for 50 years
How did you find the strength? I’m really confused about my situation from my past. I don’t know how to heal
God bless you Joey!
You are good person
Music...there really is nothing like it. I'm so glad you found it and it's had such a great influence on you.
You're amazing dude
amazing man
They say to move on you must forgive and let go. Do that if you could. It probably is the best way.
I do not think it is always possible. How can you erase memory?
Sometimes you just have to let it lie, not forgiven but move on with your life.
Although it marks you like a scar, to remember the story behind it,
but It happened and ended as "a part" of your life, not the "total" of your life.
I think of the best way I should have done, knowing what I know now.
That is too late for me but it is for other people to learn from and possibly preventing it, happening to others.
He is so strong that hes gone through so much and can talk about it with out braking down amazing .ps he so cute I wish he would have song something
God bless you, Kiddo.
This is sad man I hope he found peace.
Wow.. 💔♥️
Very eloquent man
the father doesnt deserve to be forgiven. any parent that assaults their own children deserves to rot in jail and its seriously sad and fucked up that those sisters thought they had to forgive him.
Such a sad story...
What an amazing person
Courageous young man! 🦅☀️🦅😻
that's one sick "family"
Awww you could've said something nice but instead you said that instead. Have a nice day.
Thank god for music. I’m so glad that it saved you.
Wow very saddened to hear this.
Very disturbing to me .
"When I was 8, I were in first grade? "... Impossible,,he should be at least in 3rd grade.
I love this guy ❤️
Where is this Young man now? Yes I know it has been 4 years since this video was created, but I hope he is ok, and I hope all is well with him. (I understand that I may never get a response. I just had to ask. I do hope this man is well, and achieving all he wants out of/in life)
❤️
💖❤️
such a brave man .. the term "stranger danger" was invented by people who think there clever ..the real danger comes from within the home .. another point people need to take note of is most abuse is carried out bt people who appear ordinary with kids of there own ..not by scruffy guys sat down the local park ..
WOW🤔
That whole family is brave
I'm confused about how many siblings he has. He has 5 brothers and at least 2 sisters. And his mother was left alone with seven kids. What about him? No including?
So, he turned gay because his grandfather abuse him??? Abuse, especially sexual abuse coming from a close relative must be the worst thing that could happen to a child, but it is unfair to blame a traumatic experience into becoming something totally different than we were supposed to be. You are gay or straight just because you are and the abuser have nothing to do with that. Be honest all the way. Your grandfather was a horrible person who was probably abuse for one of his relatives as well, and he probably abuse of your father too, they are all victims of a chain of horrible abuse destroying life alone their path and I have to congratulate you for your courage of braking that horrible chain of sexual abuse by getting that out in the open. Man you really are an inspiration and hope life be good to you and bring you happiness, peace, love, and a successful music career
They should not have passed out something like that to kids especially since his father was in there.
Jim Feig They absolutely should have. Everyone should be made aware that there is a sexual predator in the area. They deserve to be pointed out, so they can be avoided at all costs.
Jim Feig It was great that they passed those packets out. Notice that he said that it was his discovery that his father abused his sisters that then gave him the bravery as a 12-year-old to confront and tell his grandpa/abuser to leave. And the grandpa/abuser knew his days were numbered, so he vamoosed. I would hazard to guess that the abuse would've continued for years more if this guy hadn't stood up for himself, empowered with this knowledge.
Luboman411 No it is shameful to hand that to a kid. These lists are not proven to work. Do some research before you react like a headless chicken. Teaching kids what abuse is to prevent it is a good thing BTW.
These studies usually prove their contentions through mean averages. But there are also outliers. So to say that these lists are "not proven to work" is a fallacy because we have a case right here where it was proven to work. This was an outlier due mostly because this kid had a father on the sex registry, but it worked for his particular situation. So, no, I'm not reacting as a "headless chicken." Also provide the research to prove your contention since you're the one making this distinct argument. A link will suffice.
Luboman411 Proof is proof, you want policy based on your own feeling of fear. That is an idiot's society that eventually hurts everyone.
So sad, someone taking the innocence of your childhood away from you....and it just can't be given back to you. Wonder what he's doing today?