Last year, the trial took place and received massive attention around the world. The cult NXIVM and founder Keith Raniere ended up under the microscope, and horrific events emerged that had taken place over the years.
“Smallville” star Allison Mack received particular attention when it was revealed that she had recruited unsuspecting women into the cult, where in practice they became sex slaves for the group leader. She pleaded guilty in the case.
The group was marketed as a self-help group, but was in reality a sex cult.
The gruesome allegations include female “slaves” such as performed perverse actions under duress, branding and serious criminal activities. Ceremonies must also have been arranged – where the actions that took place were described as something from “a horror movie”.
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Speaking for the first time
Last year it was revealed that one of those who belonged to the group was the daughter of “Dynasty” star Catherine Oxenberg, India Oxenberg (29).
It was claimed during the trial that India must have been starving, so that she could preserve what the cult considered an ideal weight. She is also said to have been threatened with further starvation if she did not follow orders.
In a new documentary, “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult”, which premieres on Thursday, India speaks out for the first time. She has also been interviewed in connection with the launch of the documentary.
Secrets and nude photos
Transfer People The now 29-year-old actress says that she was four years in NXIVM before she was recruited to DOS – the secret “sisterhood” within the group. She says that she was recruited by Allison Mack. She must have felt that she was special, and that she was chosen.
She says that the first four years consisted of brainwashing and indoctrination. Inside DOS, which is an abbreviation for “Dominus Obsequious Sororium”, which roughly means “master over slave”, she is said to have been awarded the “Smallville” actress as master.
– She needed something to be sure that I would not share what she was going to tell. I was the way I ended up giving her pressure. In practice, it was as if I gave her the keys to lock myself in prison, she says.
She explains that the press funding was initially about family secrets and nude photos.
Was ashamed
In the cult, her tasks must have been to cook and wash for Mack, at the same time as she was refused to consume more than 500 calories a day.
In addition, the training in NXIVM must have made her exhausted, and the lack of sleep and food made her lose the ability to think critically and independently, according to herself.
That was how she was seduced into becoming a sex partner for the cult leader, she explains.
– One of my first commands was to seduce Keith. Allison said it would make me feel less vulnerable. And I wanted to believe her.
If she did not do as she was told, punishment was expected. Oxenberg says that she herself thought she deserved it.
– I did not want to look at it as sexual abuse. I felt ashamed and embarrassed about what happened, but I have also forgiven myself. Women who experience this type of abuse tell themselves strange things to deal with, she says.
Covered with burn mark
Oxenberg has also talked about his time in the cult in the TV show «Good Morning America», in connection with the documentary launch.
Here she calls the cult leader a “predator”, who was a master at manipulating, according to NY Post.
She also says that they were forced to have his initials branded on his body. Now she has covered the brand with a tattoo of an evil eye and a Latin phrase meaning “still learning”.
The 29-year-old explains that it was impossible for her to say no to sex, and that it was difficult to get away, as she had provided information that would harm others.
– I had given press funds that automatically removed my choice. I did not have the opportunity to say no. Saying no meant hurting my family or friends, and I would not do that, she says.
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“Horror movie”
Oxenberg’s story is only the latest in a series. Several women have told about their experiences in the past. Several have told similar stories, about branding and forced sex. Ceremonies must also have been arranged – where the actions that took place were described as something from “a horror film”.
Earlier witnesses have claimed that cult leader Raniere preferred that his sex slaves be thin, sleep deprived and obedient. He is also said to have had nicknames for the ladies, where Oxenberg was called “the princess” and Mack was referred to as “the brat”.
Oxenberg is the granddaughter of the Princess of Yugoslavia, Jelisaveta Karadjordjevic, who was also a presidential candidate in Serbia.