The NXIVM trial: what you need to know

A self-proclaimed self-help guru turned young women into sex slaves as head of a cult-like organisation, New York prosecutors have said in opening statements at his trial.

Keith Raniere, 58, faces life in prison if convicted of the charges against him, which include racketeering conspiracy, identity theft, extortion, forced labour, money laundering, wire fraud and sex trafficking.

Known to his followers as “Vanguard”, Raniere is accused of recruiting women to join his Nxivm group and then forcing them to have sex with him. Some were even branded with his initials.

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Here is what you need to know:

What is Nxivm?

Pronounced Nex-e-um, the group was co-founded by Raniere in the New York State city of Albany in the 1990s and touted as a self-help organisation. “There were workshops, like ‘Executive Success Programmes’, that promised participants a more meaningful life,” reports The New York Times. “But prosecutors have called it a criminal enterprise involved in identity theft, extortion and sex trafficking.”

In 2015, Raniere established a sorority within the group known as DOS, “an acronym for a Latin phrase that roughly means ‘master of the obedient female companions’”, says The Guardian.

“The subgroup included ‘slaves’ who were expected to obey ‘masters’ in a pyramid-like structure, with Raniere standing alone at the top as the only man,” the newspaper continues.

In her opening statements to the US District Court in Brooklyn yesterday, federal prosector Tanya Hajjar said Raniere used the women’s “deepest, darkest secrets”, as well as nude photographs, to pressure them into handing over money, going on restrictive diets and - for some - having sex with him. His alleged victims are said to have included a 15-year-girl.

“The defendant took advantage of them emotionally and sexually,�� said Hajjar. “He sold himself as the smartest, most ethical person in the world.”

What is Raniere’s defence?

Raniere has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, claims that his client “believes he acted in good faith” and that many people benefitted from his teachings. Agnifilo told jurors that they might see footage of a woman being branded, but added: “See if the women seemed forced or if they are doing it because they want to do it.”

The lawyer claims Raniere’s female followers recruited other women out of a “sisterhood” akin to other men-only societies that have been around for centuries.

However, The New York Times points out that five women charged as Raniere’s co-defendants, including Smallville actor Allison Mack and heiress Clare Bronfman, have pleaded guilty to various federal charges in recent weeks.

What happens next?

Some of the alleged victims and women who pleaded guilty are expected to testify at Raniere’s trial, which could last up to six weeks.