About Us

Founder of Behind the Mask 

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Rare Diamond – Survivor | Specialist in CSA Recovery | Community Therapist | Speaker | Creative

"Rare Diamond is more than a name — it is a symbol of resilience, depth, and purpose.

She is a survivor of multiple forms of abuse — including childhood sexual abuse at the hands of seven perpetrators — and has endured layers of trauma that could easily have silenced her. Instead, Rare Diamond found her voice, and with it, she’s helped countless others find theirs.

Her life journey includes profound losses — the passing of her mother and best friend, a heart-breaking cot death, three miscarriages, breast cancer, and chronic health conditions such as arthritis, MS, and a prolapsed spine. She’s also faced racial discrimination, dyslexia, and emotional isolation within an unsupportive community.

But Rare Diamond did not just survive — she healed. And she turned her pain into a platform.

In 2009, she founded Through Knowledge Gain Power Ltd — a relationship and personal development organisation dedicated to supporting healing, transformation, and growth. Over the past three decades, Rare Diamond has designed and delivered trauma-informed workshops, personal development programs, and recovery spaces for survivors of abuse, including those navigating the long-term effects of childhood trauma and domestic violence.

With 37 years of study in trauma, psychology, and mental health, and over 30 years of front-line community work, her contributions span far and wide — from supporting women’s refuge centres and volunteering with the Samaritans, to performing spoken word, developing training content, and mentoring both survivors and professionals.

Rare Diamond is also a published author, a visual creative, and a songwriter. Though she modestly avoids calling herself a singer, her music and voice reflect the soul of someone who has known darkness — and learned to rise.

She is a therapist. A healer. A relentless advocate for CSA survivors. And the visionary behind the Behind the Mask platform — a project that merges personal experience, professional expertise, and deep cultural awareness to change the way we approach healing.

As a mother, a wife, a mentor, and a spiritual woman — Rare Diamond remains grounded, compassionate, and committed to truth. She is not just trauma-informed — she is trauma-transformed. And, she brings that depth, clarity, and hope to the conversation.

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BTM CEO & Panellist 

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Ivan – Advocate | Author | Grammy Award-Winning Musician | Senior Engineer

Ivan is a passionate advocate dedicated to nurturing spaces of healing, justice, and transformation for survivors of trauma. Guided by empathy, lived experience, and an unwavering sense of integrity, Ivan stands alongside survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and domestic violence, amplifying their voices and championing trauma-informed approaches to care and community.

Though not a CSA survivor himself, Ivan brings profound insight gained from supporting his wife, a survivor, along with decades spent walking beside other CSA survivors on their healing journeys. His own experience of overcoming domestic abuse further deepens his compassion and commitment to breaking cycles of silence and harm.

Beyond his advocacy, Ivan is a versatile creative and accomplished professional. He is the author of The History and Development of Reggae Music, a comprehensive exploration of the genre’s roots and cultural impact. As a Grammy Award-winning musician, Ivan was honoured in 2015 for his contribution to Strictly Roots by Morgan Heritage, which received the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. Through his own music studio, he continues to produce original work, including his acclaimed album Cool Reggae, often using his art as a powerful vehicle for awareness and upliftment.

Ivan also excels in his professional career as a Senior Technical Service Engineer, bringing the same dedication and principled leadership that define his advocacy.

Blending lived wisdom, creative brilliance, and professional expertise, Ivan is deeply committed to fostering resilience, sparking dialogue, and building pathways toward collective healing.

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BTM Panellist 

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Ahmed – Advocate | Trauma Recovery Supporter | University Graduate

Ahmed is a devout Muslim who lives with integrity, guided by strong family values and deep spiritual conviction. He is widely known as the dependable “go-to” person, grounded, consistent, and committed to doing what is right.

A multi-skilled professional, Ahmed works hard and brings a thoughtful, well-rounded perspective to every area of his life. As a brother to six sisters and a devoted husband, his lived experience is deeply rooted in family, responsibility, and compassion.

Having endured trauma during childhood, Ahmed’s early experiences profoundly shaped his worldview. However, through his engagement with the Behind the Mask CSA trauma recovery book and professional therapy, he has undergone a significant transformation in perception and self-awareness.

Ahmed courageously acknowledges that certain cultural norms he once accepted are, in truth, harmful or traumatic. With humility and strength, he now dedicates himself to challenging toxic patterns, embracing healthier models of masculinity, and supporting others on their healing journey.

He brings a rare mix of faith, insight, and emotional integrity to the conversation around trauma and recovery, offering hope, clarity, and a powerful example of transformation through reflection and truth.

BTM Panellist 

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Karis – CSA Survivor | Advocate | Manageress | Accountant

Karis is a courageous survivor of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) who continues to channel her lived experience into advocacy, healing, and leadership. Despite facing multiple layers of abuse and neglect, she has emerged as a resilient, upright woman with a clear sense of purpose and strength.

A well-educated university graduate, Karis currently serves as a manageress, known for her competence, independence, and sharp insight. She is also a competent accountant, bringing analytical skill and precision to everything she does.

Karis is deeply invested in her own healing journey, and her commitment to personal growth has made her a trusted source of support and inspiration to others. Her friendship circle is diverse, and she is deeply loved and respected by those who know her.

Known as the “go-to” person in both personal and professional spaces, Karis advocates for long-term emotional wellness, strong values, and healthy relationships. She stands as a powerful example of what it means to turn pain into purpose, and to walk forward with dignity and vision.

BTM Host

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Jerome – Family Man | Music Producer | Advocate | Critical Thinker
Jerome’s story is one of resilience, emotional depth, and quiet strength. Raised by a mother who bore the lasting impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and a father who was absent, irresponsible, and emotionally unavailable, Jerome’s early environment was marked by instability and emotional neglect.

In spite of these formative wounds, Jerome has emerged as a deeply capable, multi-skilled professional with a particular gift for music production and creative leadership. A university graduate, he is known for his ability to lead with integrity and remain grounded in the face of life’s complexities.

Jerome has raised four children, maintained a 21-year relationship, and balanced the demands of family life, creative work, and emotional recovery. His journey shows how perseverance and awareness can break generational cycles, offering hope that healing is possible within the family context.

As a panellist and advocate with Behind the Mask, Jerome brings a distinctive voice and invaluable perspective. His insights are often “outside the box,” marked by emotional intelligence, sharp analysis, and a thought-provoking approach to issues that matter. His presence challenges assumptions, expands dialogue, and invites deeper reflection. His lived experience and commitment to growth make him a steady and impactful voice in trauma-informed spaces.

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BTM Panellist/Sub Host

 

Chanel – Wife | Mother | Advocate | Creative Leader
 

Chanel’s journey is marked by resilience, creativity, and an unshakable commitment to growth. Raised by a single parent, a mother who bore the lasting impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), Chanel learned early the strength it takes to navigate life’s challenges. A wife and mother of three, she has faced and weathered multiple traumas, ongoing physical health challenges, and periods of mental health struggle, meeting each one with determination and grace. Despite the weight of these experiences, Chanel has continued to invest in her future, studying law, leading community projects, and building a life centred on justice, empowerment, and care.

Balancing the demands of motherhood, study, and physical health has not been easy, yet Chanel has consistently shown that perseverance and vision can overcome adversity. Her ability to navigate these responsibilities while staying committed to her goals highlights both her resilience and her capacity to inspire others walking difficult paths.

With decades of community work and project management experience, Chanel has proven herself as a creative, insightful leader with multi-layered business skills. She has a gift for transforming ideas into reality while keeping people at the centre of every effort. Her lived experience, including her perseverance through physical setbacks and academic pressures, gives her a rare authenticity that allows her to connect deeply with others, particularly women seeking empowerment, healing, and renewal.

As a panellist and advocate with Behind the Mask, Chanel brings empathy, wisdom, and innovation to every dialogue. Her voice blends personal truth with professional skill, offering encouragement to survivors and insight to allies. Her presence reminds others that vulnerability and strength can coexist, and that empowerment grows from both resilience and community support.

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BTM Panellist 

Chantel – CSA Survivor | Nurse | Advocate | Truth-Teller

 

Chantel is a qualified nurse and aesthetic specialist, a university graduate, and a powerful voice for truth and transformation. She is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), domestic violence, and ongoing trauma linked to physical health challenges, and she has faced every storm with remarkable courage and authenticity.

A seasoned advocate with Behind the Mask, Chantel brings deep insight, emotional honesty, and real-life experience to her role. She is known for her trauma-informed approach, her unwavering support for others, and her ability to "keep it real" offering truth without apology, always delivered with love and fairness.

More than just a professional, Chantel is a fiercely loyal friend, genuine, grounded, and emotionally reliable. Her unique way of expressing things often cuts straight to the heart of the matter, helping others reflect, reframe, and rise.

Insightful, unapologetically honest, and deeply compassionate, Chantel stands as a beacon for those navigating the complexities of trauma, healing, and personal growth. She embodies what it means to survive with purpose, and to lead with love.

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BTM Panellist 

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James – Teacher | Event Planner | Advocate | Loyal Friend

James’s story is one of persistence, resilience, and quiet leadership. Having faced a number of serious life challenges, he has learned not only how to survive but how to grow, rebuild, and support others in doing the same. His recovery journey reflects a depth of wisdom and compassion that continues to guide his work and relationships.

Over the decades, James has worn many hats, teacher, event planner, fundraiser, accountant, and advocate. Each role has been united by a single thread: a commitment to empowering others and creating opportunities for healing within the community. His sharp intelligence, practical skills, and steady presence have made him a trusted friend and a dependable figure in both personal and professional spaces.

Alongside his professional work, James has balanced his own personal healing with the demands of leadership and community service. His ability to hold responsibility while remaining grounded speaks to both his resilience and his unwavering loyalty to others.

As a panellist and advocate with Behind the Mask, James brings a grounded, steadying presence and a voice shaped by both skill and lived experience. His insights are thoughtful, clear, and deeply human, challenging assumptions while offering hope. His presence affirms that healing is possible, growth is achievable, and community can be a powerful force for change.