International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation■ Vol. 2, 2021 57
position of authority in the cult, but also by
the strength of the members’ commitment
both to the leader and to the group’s teachings
and lifestyle (see Sinnamon, 2017).39
Raniere’s teachings sometimes caused
concern or doubt in his followers. Adept
groomers, however, can manipulate their
targets further by using the veiled threat of
removal of their mentorship, friendship, and
support. Consequently, the victim may
conclude that despite the unsettling nature of
the behaviors, they “are worth putting up with
due to the higher prices of losing whatever
benefits, real or perceived, they receive
through the relationship” (Sinnamon, 2017, p.
480). Court testimonies and former-member
accounts are replete with such scenarios (see
Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019 Natalie &
Hardin, 2019 Oxenberg &Stoynoff, 2019
and United States of America
v. Raniere, 2019).
Intimidation and fear-based submission
varies from relatively subtle forms to more
flagrant ones. Irrespective of intensity, this
approach allows the perpetrator to groom the
individual further “to engage in behaviors|
...they would previously [have] considered
inappropriate or outright unacceptable”
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 480). Moreover,
throughout the grooming process, the abuser
continues the role of mentor, friend,
supporter, and so forth (Sinnamon, 2017).
Clearly, Raniere used these and other
strategies as he manipulated his interpersonal
relationships with the women in his inner
circle and DOS. At times, Raniere appeared
affectionate, concerned, and compassionate
on other occasions he was aloof, cruel, angry,
and punitive. Sometimes he appeared caring
whilst simultaneously performing sadistic
behaviors, claiming they were for the
women’s growth and benefit. He seems to
have lacked empathy—another trait of
narcissism (see American Psychiatric
Association, 2013, pp. 669–670).
Sinnamon identifies that, when women
understand that they have been sexually
manipulated and exploited, they may
experience intense feelings of guilt and
shame (Sinnamon, 2017, p. 482). Typically,
conflicting emotions, feelings of guilt, and
fear of one’s abuser—especially when he
infers or issues threats, keep the victims silent
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 462). In the case of
NXIVM, despite their reservations and
objections, many of the women still admired,
respected, depended on, and even loved
Raniere. As their esteemed leader, teacher,
and mentor, he was responsible for their well-
being and security. He had become central to
their sense of selfhood and identity, their
perceptions of self-worth and value, and their
sense of purpose and meaning. He also
blackmailed them with his collection of
collateral. Together, these features created a
complex combination of contradictory
experiences and emotions that likely left
many women uncertain of their own
decisions and judgments. Thus, for some,
commitment and devotion to NXIVM and
Raniere led not to empowerment, but instead
to the very opposite.
Of course, given the array of controlling and
abusive behaviors that Raniere implemented,
alongside his sense of superiority and other
features of his personality, it is possible that
narcissism alone may not fully explain him.
Other researchers may take a different
approach in trying to understand him whilst
still others might find it prudent to assess him
using a combination of classifications and
traits. (For example, although no longer
39 Raine and Kent (2019) for a discussion of this dynamic in
religiously ideological settings.
position of authority in the cult, but also by
the strength of the members’ commitment
both to the leader and to the group’s teachings
and lifestyle (see Sinnamon, 2017).39
Raniere’s teachings sometimes caused
concern or doubt in his followers. Adept
groomers, however, can manipulate their
targets further by using the veiled threat of
removal of their mentorship, friendship, and
support. Consequently, the victim may
conclude that despite the unsettling nature of
the behaviors, they “are worth putting up with
due to the higher prices of losing whatever
benefits, real or perceived, they receive
through the relationship” (Sinnamon, 2017, p.
480). Court testimonies and former-member
accounts are replete with such scenarios (see
Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019 Natalie &
Hardin, 2019 Oxenberg &Stoynoff, 2019
and United States of America
v. Raniere, 2019).
Intimidation and fear-based submission
varies from relatively subtle forms to more
flagrant ones. Irrespective of intensity, this
approach allows the perpetrator to groom the
individual further “to engage in behaviors|
...they would previously [have] considered
inappropriate or outright unacceptable”
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 480). Moreover,
throughout the grooming process, the abuser
continues the role of mentor, friend,
supporter, and so forth (Sinnamon, 2017).
Clearly, Raniere used these and other
strategies as he manipulated his interpersonal
relationships with the women in his inner
circle and DOS. At times, Raniere appeared
affectionate, concerned, and compassionate
on other occasions he was aloof, cruel, angry,
and punitive. Sometimes he appeared caring
whilst simultaneously performing sadistic
behaviors, claiming they were for the
women’s growth and benefit. He seems to
have lacked empathy—another trait of
narcissism (see American Psychiatric
Association, 2013, pp. 669–670).
Sinnamon identifies that, when women
understand that they have been sexually
manipulated and exploited, they may
experience intense feelings of guilt and
shame (Sinnamon, 2017, p. 482). Typically,
conflicting emotions, feelings of guilt, and
fear of one’s abuser—especially when he
infers or issues threats, keep the victims silent
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 462). In the case of
NXIVM, despite their reservations and
objections, many of the women still admired,
respected, depended on, and even loved
Raniere. As their esteemed leader, teacher,
and mentor, he was responsible for their well-
being and security. He had become central to
their sense of selfhood and identity, their
perceptions of self-worth and value, and their
sense of purpose and meaning. He also
blackmailed them with his collection of
collateral. Together, these features created a
complex combination of contradictory
experiences and emotions that likely left
many women uncertain of their own
decisions and judgments. Thus, for some,
commitment and devotion to NXIVM and
Raniere led not to empowerment, but instead
to the very opposite.
Of course, given the array of controlling and
abusive behaviors that Raniere implemented,
alongside his sense of superiority and other
features of his personality, it is possible that
narcissism alone may not fully explain him.
Other researchers may take a different
approach in trying to understand him whilst
still others might find it prudent to assess him
using a combination of classifications and
traits. (For example, although no longer
39 Raine and Kent (2019) for a discussion of this dynamic in
religiously ideological settings.
