Lavinia Masters

Lavinia Masters is an American advocate for survivors of sexual assault and rape. She is the namesake of the Lavinia Masters Act, passed in Texas in 2019. She was named to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.

Early life

Masters was raised in West Dallas, Texas. She describes her childhood as being raised in a "religious or faith-based household". The assailant broke into her family's home and assaulted her at gunpoint. Masters described the investigation done by the local police as dehumanizing, saying that it "devastated me more than the rape".

Aftermath and advocacy

Masters' rape kit went untested for over 20 years, until 2005.

After contacting her local city council, Masters started working with Texas House representative Victoria Neave. In 2018, Neave assembled a Dallas task force to "identify issues with the way the legal system handles sexual assault and harassment".

In addition to advocacy, Masters works as a consultant, trainer, and life coach. In 2019, Masters received The Family Place Texas Trailblazer Awards In 2020, Masters received The OVC Crime Victims' "Special Courage Award" from the Justice Department In 2023, Masters was inducted into Texas Women's Hall of Fame in recognition of her "selflessness and strength"