Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Lavinia B. Masters.
Hi Dr. Masters, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a heinous rape at the age of 13 years old. I pretty much wrote myself off as damaged goods. I had vague memories of the sexual abuse as a small child but the trauma and nightmares from the rape were alive and vivid almost on a daily basis growing up. The stranger that entered our home that night and assaulted me at knifepoint disappeared like a thief in the night I had no idea who he was or where he came from but I do know that he changed my life forever! This went on for over 20 years as I struggled to regain my identity, I also struggled with the idea that a total stranger got away with not only robbing me of my innocence but my identity.
This turn of events caused me much trauma and pain but it also led me to the final thoughts that I had to heal and survive! Therefore, I started that healing journey and from that, I learned that I also required some sort of closure from that dreadful night of my rape but how could I get answers when I had no idea where to begin.
I finally went into prayer about 2005 and later discovered that the Dallas Police Department had started a cold case initiative for victims of sexual assault and it was here that I learned that my evidence was placed on a shelf for over 20 years. It was at this moment that I knew what my purpose was and that was to be the driving force behind helping bring justice to all survivors of sexual assault by not only empowering them to find their voices but to raise awareness about the enormous rape-kit backlog in the nation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to empowering others of sexual trauma is never easy especially when you are a survivor yourself. You find that the more you speak for others that you are reliving your trauma each and every time. There are moments when you retrigger your traumas but you continue the fight because you realize that it empowers you in the process. Another obstacle that I faced was that society was not ready to talk about sexual trauma but specially to reveal to the world that victims’ evidence was sitting on shelves across the nation. The unveiling of injustice is never an easy task as you are met with much opposition however it is worth it when you understand that you are impacting and empowering the lives of others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an advocate and trauma consultant and life coach. I specialize in educating and consulting public and charter schools as well as colleges and universities on how to remain trauma-informed and survived centered when dealing with students, faculty, and staff. I also work with major corporations, non-profits, the military, and directors and producers in the film industry to not only bring awareness about sexual trauma but how we can work together to help staff, employees, actors, etc. be conscience of appropriate language and setting healthy boundaries when dealing with one another on campus or in the workplace. It is also imperative that I reiterate diversity, equity, and inclusion in my teachings as I also learned that this was one of the factors that separated me from the due justice that I deserved.
Finally, am known for being creative and innovative in my approach to the subject matter of sexual trauma as well as not afraid to use dance before my talks. I am very proud of the fact that I am a survivor as that gives me another level of expertise as I am not only educated and versed in it but I have lived and overcome sexual trauma. The thing that sets me apart from other people in my sector is that I have a law that is my namesake, The Lavinia Masters Act, here in Texas that not only puts me in Texas history but black history as I am the first black woman that has a namesake law that is living. I honor my badge as a survivor but I especially honor the gift to give back not only to other survivors but to the world!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me by supporting my nonprofit ministry, Hope SAVES, www.hopesavesministry.org, which is exclusively for supporting survivors of sexual violence, trafficking, and more. They can also collaborate with me by reaching out if they are in need of one on one, virtual, group or consulting, and or coaching, I am also available to speak as a keynote, panelist, or moderator when it comes to addressing the issues of sexual trauma and or diversity and equity and inclusion training when it comes to interacting with one another in these various spaces. Please feel to reach out to me online where any donation is appreciated but please also be aware that I can work within any organization’s fee structure and budget when it comes to my professional services. I would love to also add that I facilitate workshops, conferences, and retreats.
Pricing:
- Consulting (Contact for pricing)
- One one Coaching (Contact for pricing)
- Virtual Coaching or Presentation (Contact for pricing)
- Keynote Speaker (Contact for pricing)
- Workshop or Conference or Retreat (Contact for pricing)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laviniamasters.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterslavinia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaviniaMastersSpeaks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laviniamasters/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/laviniamasters
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaviniaMasters
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lavinlicious
- Other: https://linktr.ee/laviniamasters
