56 International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation ■ Vol. 2, 2021
by “unarticulated anger,” which can manifest
in the abuser’s need to “dominate and
humiliate the victim in some sexualized
manner” (Sinnamon, 2017, p. 465). Often,
this anger stems from the perpetrator’s
perception that he has not been adequately
recognized within broader society—that
others in society somehow “owe” him. The
complete subjugation and humiliation of the
victim provides a greater sense of esteem for
these types of predators (Sinnamon, 2017,
p. 465) and as evidenced by his own actions,
Raniere had a “high, but fragile” self-esteem
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 464). With DOS,
Raniere’s status as Master (and Grand
Master) confirmed his position of absolute
power. His behaviors therein represent his
dual needs for domination and for being the
center of attention. Clearly, he funneled these
demands into the sexual abuse and
manipulation of DOS women (see Sinnamon,
2017, p. 464). Moreover, his plans for a cage
likely represent the apex of his anger,
frustration, esteem issues, and need to
dominate and humiliate women.
Conclusion
Raniere’s ESP course, Human Pain, taught
that, in order to experience greater love,
people need also to feel loss. He identified
that pain needs to take priority over selfish
needs for security and well-being, as the latter
are evident signs of “weakness of character.”
Human Pain taught adherents of NXIVM to
expressly choose pain so that they might
foster the ability to love more profoundly,
establishing “the foundation for someone to
confuse pain with pleasure and vice versa”
(Oxenberg &Stoynoff, 2019, pp. 84–86).
Raniere manipulated, shamed, and
humiliated the women whilst still
maintaining their dependency on him. He
confused their sense of what love and respect
are. As a skilled manipulator and groomer,
Raniere did what many in his position do: He
took “pleasure in skillfully causing pain to
increase his sense of control,” thus ensuring
that the women that he abused were
“anxiously focused on not upsetting or
angering him” (MOBIEG, 2019, para. 21
emphasis in the original).
Sinnamon (2017) has proposed that predators
who groom and exploit adult women
typically are narcissistic (or antisocial). To
access women, these abusers typically insert
themselves into environments that will yield
desired targets. Looking for admiration and
respect, they seek to establish themselves as
valuable and honest members of the
community. Sinnamon’s research focused on
grooming within broader society. In
Raniere’s case, he created the environment
his victims already were a part of the group
that he had established. Thus, he integrated
practices of adoration, respect, and trust from
the outset: He created conditions ripe for
grooming and for achieving flawed consent
(see Dayan, 2017).
Predators often choose helping, teaching, or
coaching roles to develop status and trust
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 475), allowing them to
assist individuals whilst surreptitiously
gaining insights into their needs and
vulnerabilities. Feeling helped, the victim
garners further respect and trust for the
predator—essential for narcissists
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 476). When individuals
yearn for a particular thing or outcome, often
they are more susceptible to the
manipulations of any person who is
seemingly able to help them fulfill their goals
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 468). Raniere positioned
himself as a genius life coach and savior.
Thus, committed women in NXVIM who
sought and prioritized reinvention and self-
actualization (Raine, 2020), were susceptible
to overlooking their own personal well-being
in favor of what they perceived to be a greater
set of goals for themselves. Cultic ideologies
often occupy significant importance in
members’ lives, especially for more devoted
members. Hence, the grooming process is
strengthened not only by the abuser’s
by “unarticulated anger,” which can manifest
in the abuser’s need to “dominate and
humiliate the victim in some sexualized
manner” (Sinnamon, 2017, p. 465). Often,
this anger stems from the perpetrator’s
perception that he has not been adequately
recognized within broader society—that
others in society somehow “owe” him. The
complete subjugation and humiliation of the
victim provides a greater sense of esteem for
these types of predators (Sinnamon, 2017,
p. 465) and as evidenced by his own actions,
Raniere had a “high, but fragile” self-esteem
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 464). With DOS,
Raniere’s status as Master (and Grand
Master) confirmed his position of absolute
power. His behaviors therein represent his
dual needs for domination and for being the
center of attention. Clearly, he funneled these
demands into the sexual abuse and
manipulation of DOS women (see Sinnamon,
2017, p. 464). Moreover, his plans for a cage
likely represent the apex of his anger,
frustration, esteem issues, and need to
dominate and humiliate women.
Conclusion
Raniere’s ESP course, Human Pain, taught
that, in order to experience greater love,
people need also to feel loss. He identified
that pain needs to take priority over selfish
needs for security and well-being, as the latter
are evident signs of “weakness of character.”
Human Pain taught adherents of NXIVM to
expressly choose pain so that they might
foster the ability to love more profoundly,
establishing “the foundation for someone to
confuse pain with pleasure and vice versa”
(Oxenberg &Stoynoff, 2019, pp. 84–86).
Raniere manipulated, shamed, and
humiliated the women whilst still
maintaining their dependency on him. He
confused their sense of what love and respect
are. As a skilled manipulator and groomer,
Raniere did what many in his position do: He
took “pleasure in skillfully causing pain to
increase his sense of control,” thus ensuring
that the women that he abused were
“anxiously focused on not upsetting or
angering him” (MOBIEG, 2019, para. 21
emphasis in the original).
Sinnamon (2017) has proposed that predators
who groom and exploit adult women
typically are narcissistic (or antisocial). To
access women, these abusers typically insert
themselves into environments that will yield
desired targets. Looking for admiration and
respect, they seek to establish themselves as
valuable and honest members of the
community. Sinnamon’s research focused on
grooming within broader society. In
Raniere’s case, he created the environment
his victims already were a part of the group
that he had established. Thus, he integrated
practices of adoration, respect, and trust from
the outset: He created conditions ripe for
grooming and for achieving flawed consent
(see Dayan, 2017).
Predators often choose helping, teaching, or
coaching roles to develop status and trust
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 475), allowing them to
assist individuals whilst surreptitiously
gaining insights into their needs and
vulnerabilities. Feeling helped, the victim
garners further respect and trust for the
predator—essential for narcissists
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 476). When individuals
yearn for a particular thing or outcome, often
they are more susceptible to the
manipulations of any person who is
seemingly able to help them fulfill their goals
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 468). Raniere positioned
himself as a genius life coach and savior.
Thus, committed women in NXVIM who
sought and prioritized reinvention and self-
actualization (Raine, 2020), were susceptible
to overlooking their own personal well-being
in favor of what they perceived to be a greater
set of goals for themselves. Cultic ideologies
often occupy significant importance in
members’ lives, especially for more devoted
members. Hence, the grooming process is
strengthened not only by the abuser’s
