44 International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation ■ Vol. 2, 2021
Important also are the characteristics of the
victims: Perpetrators target the vulnerabilities
of the adults whom they groom. 11
Consequently, they find ways to fulfill the
needs of their victims by doing so, the initial
grooming stages typically are characterized
by benefits and rewards for the victims
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 468). Thus, the abusers
employ a great amount of “positive
reinforcement to seduce their victim”
(MOBIEG, 2019). 12 Victims of grooming
may initially have positive experiences with
their abusers because of the abusers’ seeming
consideration, sensitivity, and compassion.
The victims may enjoy the attention, and
consequently dispel any concerns that might
arise. Clinical psychologist Dawn Hughes,
who is an expert on interpersonal violence,
testified at Raniere’s trial, stating that by the
time negative experiences dominate such
relationships, the victim is “psychologically
compromised” (United States of America v.
Raniere, 2019, p. 3729). Moreover, if victims
do display doubts or question their abusers,
the perpetrators may employ gaslighting
11 The British website, Campaign Against Adult Grooming
(CAAGe) (2019), argues that victims are not always as vulnerable
as Sinnamon (2017) has suggested. Whilst victim vulnerabilities
may be present, this resource identifies that strong, successful, and
financially stable women often fall victim to predation, precisely
because predators are able to present themselves as credible,
genuine, and caring individuals. Drawing on Sinnamon (2017) and
CAAGe (2019), I assume in this article that some members of
NXIVM joined with multiple, preexisting vulnerabilities, whilst
others may have had very few or no discernible ones.
12 MOBIEG is a South African organization that offers a variety of
counseling services. It assists individuals who have experienced, or
are experiencing, sexual abuse, mental illness, substance abuse, and
more.
13 Hughes discussed various facets of coercive control in sexually
abusive relationships at Raniere’s trial—including gaslighting. She
explained that abusers who use gaslighting techniques frequently
tell their victims that they are wrong about their observations. This
psychological manipulation leaves the victims doubting the accuracy
of their own experiences and perceptions (United States of America
v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 3720–3721). Paige L. Sweet has argued that
gaslighting operates within key social inequalities, particularly
those pertaining to sex and gender. Hence, “when perpetrators
mobilize gender-based stereotypes, structural
tactics to undermine them (Campaign
Against Adult Grooming, 2019).13
Sinnamon’s research focuses on adult
grooming that occurs in broader society.
Thus, he elaborates on the grooming
trajectory as it occurs in that setting. In the
present article, grooming occurred in a very
specific context—that of a multilevel
marketing cult offering human-potential
courses (see Raine, 2020 Edmondson, &
Gasbarre, 2019, pp. 50–51, 53 Natalie &
Hardin, 2019, pp. 91–92 &United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019, p. 1514).
Consequently, in this article I account for the
ideological—and extremely insular—nature
of the NXIVM environment. 14 Raniere
groomed women who were already members
of an ideological group setting that he had
established. He was their leader and guide—
and they admired and trusted him on all
matters. Whilst Sinnamon’s research does not
examine grooming in cults, his findings—on
which I elaborate further in this article—are
eminently applicable to Raniere and
NXIVM.
inequalities, and institutional vulnerabilities against victims with
whom they are in an intimate relationship, gaslighting becomes not
only effective, but devastating” (Sweet, 2019, p. 852).
14 In a previous article, I and my second author focused on the little-
studied area of grooming children for sexual abuse in religious
settings. In our research, we discussed those features of religion that
make that particular environment unique in terms of the grooming
process (Raine &Kent, 2019). Although not a supernaturally,
otherworldly focused religious cult, NXIVM did, however, manifest
a number of quasi-religious characteristics. Raniere promoted the
belief that he had mystical qualities—for example, that he could
control both the weather and electronics because of his special
“energy” (United States of America v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 1533–
1534). He claimed his semen had magical properties, and that sex
with him was curative (United States of America v. Raniere, 2019,
pp. 2395–2396). Moreover, he cultivated an “aura of sainthood,” his
followers believing him to be a “renunciate” (United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019,
p. 2303). Raniere was a charismatic leader who commanded
religious-like devotion and adoration. Moreover, he incorporated an
end-times scenario into his teachings, proposing that only dedication
to NXIVM would prevent global catastrophe (United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 2305-2306, 2311, 2313).
Important also are the characteristics of the
victims: Perpetrators target the vulnerabilities
of the adults whom they groom. 11
Consequently, they find ways to fulfill the
needs of their victims by doing so, the initial
grooming stages typically are characterized
by benefits and rewards for the victims
(Sinnamon, 2017, p. 468). Thus, the abusers
employ a great amount of “positive
reinforcement to seduce their victim”
(MOBIEG, 2019). 12 Victims of grooming
may initially have positive experiences with
their abusers because of the abusers’ seeming
consideration, sensitivity, and compassion.
The victims may enjoy the attention, and
consequently dispel any concerns that might
arise. Clinical psychologist Dawn Hughes,
who is an expert on interpersonal violence,
testified at Raniere’s trial, stating that by the
time negative experiences dominate such
relationships, the victim is “psychologically
compromised” (United States of America v.
Raniere, 2019, p. 3729). Moreover, if victims
do display doubts or question their abusers,
the perpetrators may employ gaslighting
11 The British website, Campaign Against Adult Grooming
(CAAGe) (2019), argues that victims are not always as vulnerable
as Sinnamon (2017) has suggested. Whilst victim vulnerabilities
may be present, this resource identifies that strong, successful, and
financially stable women often fall victim to predation, precisely
because predators are able to present themselves as credible,
genuine, and caring individuals. Drawing on Sinnamon (2017) and
CAAGe (2019), I assume in this article that some members of
NXIVM joined with multiple, preexisting vulnerabilities, whilst
others may have had very few or no discernible ones.
12 MOBIEG is a South African organization that offers a variety of
counseling services. It assists individuals who have experienced, or
are experiencing, sexual abuse, mental illness, substance abuse, and
more.
13 Hughes discussed various facets of coercive control in sexually
abusive relationships at Raniere’s trial—including gaslighting. She
explained that abusers who use gaslighting techniques frequently
tell their victims that they are wrong about their observations. This
psychological manipulation leaves the victims doubting the accuracy
of their own experiences and perceptions (United States of America
v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 3720–3721). Paige L. Sweet has argued that
gaslighting operates within key social inequalities, particularly
those pertaining to sex and gender. Hence, “when perpetrators
mobilize gender-based stereotypes, structural
tactics to undermine them (Campaign
Against Adult Grooming, 2019).13
Sinnamon’s research focuses on adult
grooming that occurs in broader society.
Thus, he elaborates on the grooming
trajectory as it occurs in that setting. In the
present article, grooming occurred in a very
specific context—that of a multilevel
marketing cult offering human-potential
courses (see Raine, 2020 Edmondson, &
Gasbarre, 2019, pp. 50–51, 53 Natalie &
Hardin, 2019, pp. 91–92 &United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019, p. 1514).
Consequently, in this article I account for the
ideological—and extremely insular—nature
of the NXIVM environment. 14 Raniere
groomed women who were already members
of an ideological group setting that he had
established. He was their leader and guide—
and they admired and trusted him on all
matters. Whilst Sinnamon’s research does not
examine grooming in cults, his findings—on
which I elaborate further in this article—are
eminently applicable to Raniere and
NXIVM.
inequalities, and institutional vulnerabilities against victims with
whom they are in an intimate relationship, gaslighting becomes not
only effective, but devastating” (Sweet, 2019, p. 852).
14 In a previous article, I and my second author focused on the little-
studied area of grooming children for sexual abuse in religious
settings. In our research, we discussed those features of religion that
make that particular environment unique in terms of the grooming
process (Raine &Kent, 2019). Although not a supernaturally,
otherworldly focused religious cult, NXIVM did, however, manifest
a number of quasi-religious characteristics. Raniere promoted the
belief that he had mystical qualities—for example, that he could
control both the weather and electronics because of his special
“energy” (United States of America v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 1533–
1534). He claimed his semen had magical properties, and that sex
with him was curative (United States of America v. Raniere, 2019,
pp. 2395–2396). Moreover, he cultivated an “aura of sainthood,” his
followers believing him to be a “renunciate” (United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019,
p. 2303). Raniere was a charismatic leader who commanded
religious-like devotion and adoration. Moreover, he incorporated an
end-times scenario into his teachings, proposing that only dedication
to NXIVM would prevent global catastrophe (United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 2305-2306, 2311, 2313).
