Dawn Schiller

survivor · expert · consultant · author

MEET DAWN

Dawn Schiller, M.A. is an expert survivor-leader in the anti-trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault movements. Abused and trafficked on the streets of Hollywood in her teens by the infamous porn actor, John Holmes, she survived the gruesome Wonderland Avenue murders in 1981 and ultimately turned him in to the police. Her subsequent years of struggle to survivorship, education, and service to others offer valuable first-hand insight to community advocates. Today, she is a national speaker, educator, consultant, coach, and author.

Dawn's story is told in her memoir, The Road Through Wonderland: Surviving John Holmes, and the film Wonderland, in which she is portrayed by actress Kate Bosworth; John Holmes is played by Val Kilmer. Dawn was also filmed to tell her story in the 2…

“I was nineteen years old when we embarked on the cinematic journey of Wonderland. As I immersed myself in the depths of this film, I began to realize we were not only retelling a story filled with incomprehensible evil, but one of hope, of overcoming the darkest of circumstances and surviving. Dawn, I thank you for sharing your story not only with me, but with the many people who will now take strength from your honesty. And who will be encouraged to not only survive but, like you, to thrive.”

— KATE BOSWORTH, ACTRESS