Praise for The Road Through Wonderland
The Road Through Wonderland is at first glance a beautifully written real-life story of abuse, neglect, and human trafficking. On these pages Dawn Schiller’s lived experience comes to life before our eyes and pulls us into the exploitation she endured as a child at the hands of a calculating abuser who manipulated a girl’s profound hope for love and belonging. It is vital to note that what is not explicitly written by Schiller is just as important as what is. Her vulnerability is found between and deep inside her words where trauma is trapped, and this invisible space is the only safe place for that fragile and powerful pain to co-exist. I challenge you, dear readers, to go bravely and enter this space with her, for it is a gift to understand that she was not a girlfriend or mistress; she was a child who suffered the worst kind of abuse by an adult – the abuse of power and trust. What we do next with Schiller’s gift is just as important. If you find yourself thinking a survivor of human trafficking is somehow complicit in the abuse, correct yourself. You will be playing an active role in healing the space between and inside her words and amplifying a resilience that in turn heals the world.
Kay Buck | Chief Executive Officer,Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST)
The stories most people want to hear are the scandalous ones—John Holmes, the porn star involved somehow in the Wonderland murders. In our misogynistic culture, even the scandal doesn’t dim Holmes’ star power. At the edge of these tellings is Holmes’ so-called girlfriend, Dawn Schiller. Even the movie, Wonderland, manages to move Dawn’s real story to the side. At last, in The Road through Wonderland, Dawn tells her own story, an all-too-familiar tale of grooming by an older man, sexual abuse, rape, violence, and trafficking. In this story, we see Dawn as an agent at the center of her own story, and we see Holmes for the abuser and sex trafficker that he was. Most importantly, we see Dawn as a resilient woman who comes to reclaim her life and voice and become a leading advocate in the feminist anti-trafficking and anti-violence movement. Her story alerts us to the machinations of perpetrators who prey on vulnerable girls and the social institutions that facilitate male power, abuse, and violence. Dawn’s story is a resounding call for us to dismantle patriarchy and the violence that both emanates from and maintains it.
Sarah Hunt | BAFTA Nominated Documentary Producer
The stories most people want to hear are the scandalous ones—John Holmes, the porn star involved somehow in the Wonderland murders. In our misogynistic culture, even the scandal doesn’t dim Holmes’ star power. At the edge of these tellings is Holmes’ so-called girlfriend, Dawn Schiller. Even the movie, Wonderland, manages to move Dawn’s real story to the side. At last, in The Road through Wonderland, Dawn tells her own story, an all-too-familiar tale of grooming by an older man, sexual abuse, rape, violence, and trafficking. In this story, we see Dawn as an agent at the center of her own story, and we see Holmes for the abuser and sex trafficker that he was. Most importantly, we see Dawn as a resilient woman who comes to reclaim her life and voice and become a leading advocate in the feminist anti-trafficking and anti-violence movement. Her story alerts us to the machinations of perpetrators who prey on vulnerable girls and the social institutions that facilitate male power, abuse, and violence. Dawn’s story is a resounding call for us to dismantle patriarchy and the violence that both emanates from and maintains it.
Susan M. Shaw, Ph.D. | Professor of Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, Oregon State University
"When I got an advance copy of The Road Through Wonderland, I thought I already knew the story. The power of Dawn Schiller's writing is that within a few pages, you are so drawn into her harrowing, roller-coaster life with her fractured family and then with porn star John Holmes, that you almost become her while reading it. There is not much separation from writer to reader. Schiller draws an unforgettable portrait of a lost, drug-addled corner of late 1970s Los Angeles and what it was like to be a lonely girl targeted by a predator in that world. The whole book is one long, chilling money shot . . . The most mesmerizing memoir since Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle."
Dana Kennedy | AOL News
"Dawn Schiller's courageous and intimately detailed memoir has given us a rare backstage glimpse at the tragic lie of one man whom the industry used to sustain its myth-making machinery—and the havoc he wreaked in the life of a vulnerable young woman."
Dr. Jackson Katz | Author, "The Macho Paradox"
There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Wonderland murders of 1981 and the central figure in those murders – John Holmes. Many have speculated about him and his past but author Dawn Schiller actually lived it. In The Road Through Wonderland Schiller provides a chilling look at the life of Holmes and the events leading up to the infamous murders. She paints a gruesome portrait of drugs and abuse and shares the story of how she survived this life of torture. This book is a must read, even for those who may not be familiar with the back story. Schillers’ writing is gripping and the reader gets sucked in to this twisted tale. The story is so shocking it’s hard to believe that she survived through these terrifying events. This book is hard to put down and definitely provokes the reader to want to continue to see what happens next. Schiller is incredibly brave for sharing her story with the world and I can only hope that she has made peace with everything that happened. This is by far the best book I have read in months and I highly encourage anyone reading this to go pick it up!
Nicole Will, Portland Book Review
Praise for Speaking and Presentations
"Dawn Schiller is a survivor! She not only lived to tell of a horrendous adolescence, but she learned the gifts of compassion and forgiveness. She does not just tell of horrific abuse, but instead, she tackles relevant issues such as low self-worth, drug addiction and family relationships. Dawn Schiller is clearly a master communicator as she identifies how teens fall victim to predators and pedophiles as well as how to assist those who are in need of help. She is authentic and transparent—a true inspiration!"
Lisa Kratz Thomas / Speaker, Author & Radio Host
"Dawn Schiller is a powerful presenter, advocate and mentor for throwaway teens. Her story will compel you to want to do more. Dawn’s experience is horrifying; however, to personally witness her resilience and her desire to help others is remarkable. Dawn is a success story, giving hope to the silent victims and engaging communities to be advocates for youth, who are looking for support and direction while navigating life’s many difficult choices. From drug addiction, teen dating violence, forced prostitution and homelessness, Dawn has risen above it all and it is a privilege to know her and become part of her journey."
Womancare
"Dawn Schiller’s keynote presentation at our Region Conference this year ranked as the highlight for many of the 450 attendees. The group was inspired and touched by her openness and willingness to share her impactful story with us. It delivered the exact message I had wanted it to, providing a real life example of why the work we do as an organization to help improve the lives of women and girls is so important. Dawn had the group on the edge of their seats as she recounted her Road Through Wonderland and took the audience down that road with her as she read aloud from sections of her book. I give my highest recommendation of Dawn Schiller as a keynote presenter and would welcome her back to speak again at any time!"
SOROPTOMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE AMERICAS
"In 2015, Dawn Schiller spoke to a campus student group I advise which had begun to examine the issues of violence against women and sex trafficking. Since Dawn's impactful presentation, students have continued to recall and reference her perspective to make connections to other forms of exploitation such as objectification of women in mass media, “throw-away teens,” and largely hidden sex trafficking in rural America. Her powerful story should be heard widely. Highly recommended."
ROSEMARY POWERS, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY, EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
“The Road Through Wonderland is a must-read, especially for professionals trained to identify and respond to horrible abuses such as those Dawn endured during her years with John Holmes and others around him. As I read, I wondered what we as a community can do to allow kids like Dawn to reach out for help rather than face death at the hands of their abusers on a daily basis. Unfortunately, in Dawn’s case, by the time the abuse came to the attention of the police, she was already eighteen. Though very incapable of caring for herself, she was legally seen as an adult. And though visibly battered by Holmes, she was returned to his 'care' by police. I am thankful that our response to intimate partner violence, the exploitation of children and especially our 'throwaway teens' has improved over the last thirty years. However, we have a lot more work to do before people understand how predators like Holmes target vulnerable children and that these troubled children are worth saving.”
SGT. JOANNE ARCHAMBAULT, SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPT., RETIRED; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (EVAW), INTL; CO-EDITOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORT
"Dawn was sensational. She did a great job sharing her story and engaging the audience. I have gotten lots of positive feedback. I have nothing but kind and wonderful things to say about Dawn and I would recommend her to speak at any conference, especially those geared toward trauma and survival."
INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES, MARION COUNTY
"We really enjoyed having Dawn deliver her presentation on throwaway teens to the staff at Mountain View Youth Development Center. Dawn’s powerful personal story mixed with statistics and other stories was a great way to bring awareness to her audience. I heard more than one person comment that it was a great reminder of why we do the work that we do."
MOUNTAIN VIEW YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER, BANGOR, MN
"I have had the privilege of hearing Dawn speak on numerous occasions. Each time I find myself more in awe of her strength and tenacity. This graceful, beautiful woman has overcome more than most people could imagine. Dawn will take you on a journey you will never forget. As she weaves the story of her life from surviving the darkest depths of human suffering to her emergence as a national voice for throwaway teens, you will cry and you will laugh, but more than anything, and you will be inspired."
AMERICANS OVERSEAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS CENTER
"I had the pleasure of meeting Dawn when she did a presentation about human trafficking. Dawn is a inspiring person and I am honored to have been able to hear her speak and meet her. She gives me hope that victims of human trafficking can make it through and have a better life. Praise to Dawn for everything that she is and what she stands for. And thank you for giving me hope for a better future beyond being a human trafficking victim."
L. SHELTON / SURVIVOR OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
"Dawn came to speak to law enforcement, attorneys, and advocacy groups. She did a phenomenal job of educating these community leaders! She was punctual, educational, and inspiring. Working with Dawn was truly a pleasure and she is welcome to touch the hearts of the Springfield community anytime!"