The co-founder and leader of “self-help” group Nxivm, Keith Raniere, has been arrested for sex trafficking female followers. Victims were even branded with his initials.
Nxivm was based in upstate New York, but Raniere was arrested in Mexico and returned to Texas on Monday. Raniere fled the United States late last year after the New York Times published stories of women who defected from Nxivm.
The Guardian reports:
According to the complaint, Raniere – known within the group as “Vanguard” – oversaw a barbaric system in which women were told the best way to advance was to become a “slave” overseen by “masters”.
They also were expected to have sex with him and do menial chores for masters, and to keep the arrangement a secret or be publicly humiliated, the complaint said.
The complaint said that many victims participated in videotaped ceremonies where they were branded in their pubic area with a symbol featuring Raniere’s initials.
“During the branding ceremonies,” the complaint says, “slaves were required to be fully naked, and the master would order one slave to film while the other held down the slave being branded.”
Nxivm also has a Mexican affiliate run by Emiliano Salinas, a son of a former president of the country. The New York Times reported that several of these women travelled to Albany, New York, where they underwent the branding ceremony.
Investigators added that Raniere preferred his victims to be exceptionally thin, meaning the women had restricted diets and were made to document every food they ate.
In a statement, Raniere denied all of the reports of abuse, writing “These allegations are most disturbing to me, as non-violence is one of my most important values.”
Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.