By: Ellen Cans

Last Tuesday was the sentencing for Keith Raniere, 60— the mastermind behind a cult-like group named Nxivm. The first victim to speak at the sentencing was identified only by the name Camila. As reported by the NY Times, she told the court about how she was sexually abused by Raniere as a 15-year-old, along with her sisters— sometimes all at the same time. He had entangled her whole family with his narcissistic pseudo-philosophy and had set them against each other.

Camila, now 30, recounted how he had been 45 and she 15 when he first began to abuse her. This relationship continued for 12 years, leaving her with physical and emotional scars, including an abortion, which she said she got at Mr. Raniere’s direction. She, as well as other girls who were recruited into the cult, were also branded with his initials, by which he meant to deter them from seeing other men, as per the testimony.

Later on Tuesday, Raniere was sentenced by judge, Nicholas G. Garaufis of Federal District Court in Brooklyn to 120 years in prison, after being convicted last year for sex trafficking, fraud and other crimes. Nxivm, headquartered in upstate NY and particularly successful in Mexico, was promoted as a women’s empowerment sorority, but former members testified at trial that they were called “slaves”. They were allegedly forced to have sex with Mr. Raniere and required to divulge nude photographs and other collateral, which they were threatened would be released if they were ever disobedient. As per the trial testimony, he taught members to distrust anyone who didn’t agree with the Nxivm ideology— including the media, doctors, experts, and even family members.

In her testimony, Camila retold how she had once attempted suicide, and he had worried about his own exposure, demanding “Do you know how bad it could have been for me if you had killed yourself?” The court filings, included prosecutors revealing controlling messages he had sent her. “If you want me to come tonight, I will under these conditions: there will be no talking,” he said, according to prosecutors. “You will meet me at the door in the outfit you think I would find sexiest.” Camila left Nxivm in 2017, when she was 27-year-old, through the influence of one of her sisters, Daniela. Daniela, also a victim, had cooperated with authorities and had testified last year as a main witness at Raniere’s trial.

Mr. Raniere “raped and denigrated my three daughters, lying, manipulating and deceiving them,” Camila’s mother, Adriana, told the court.