HBO will premiere its docuseries named 'The Vow' from 23 August 2020. The forthcoming documentary series of HBO will make you explore the intricate web of abuses behind NXIVM.
This self-help organization operated a sex cult for more than 20 years in upstate New York. The series will focus intensely on the inner workings of the multi-level marketing organization founded by Keith Raniere, who is a self-proclaimed 'visionary.'
The Vow (©: YouTube/HBO)
'The Vow' showcases the evolution of the NXIVM and how Raniere's 'leadership' escalated, which led to the formation of the frightening secret subgroup called DOS. It was the same subgroup (DOS), who allured the group's public notoriety following the revelation by a former NXIVM member, Sarah Edmonson. Edmonson spoke with the New York Times back in October 2017 and accused Keith Raniere's initials forcibly branded the DOS members and later turned into sex slaves.
Records show that Keith Raniere allegedly required the DOS Members to provide 'collateral,' including nude images, incriminating emails as a form of blackmail in the hopes of preventing the women from leaving the group or revealing "Vanguard's" secrets.
Raniere also allegedly organized DOS members into 'master/slave' arrangements. It followed the hierarchy amongst the group, where certain women like Allison Mack would become the 'masters' of their recruits. The so-called 'masters' would force the recruits to do menial tasks and bizarre drills, also including them out to Raniere for sex, which would sometimes be against their will.
The authorities have come with the revelation that Allison Mack forced a DOS woman, identified as Jane Doe 1, to have sex with Keith Raniere. By this, it came to acknowledgment that Mack "groomed DOS slaves for sex with Raniere by requiring [them] to adhere to extremely restrictive diets and not remove their pubic hair (following Raniere's sexual preferences) and by requiring them to remain celibate and not to ma-----ate."
Allison Mack, a master of the recruits at DOS (©: People)
A year ago, in June 2019, Keith Raniere was found guilty of federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. At the time of conviction, CNN reported that the United States Attorney Richard Donoghue mentioned;
"Raniere, who portrayed himself as a savant and a genius, was in fact a massive manipulator, a con man, and the crime boss of a cult-like organization involved in sex trafficking, child p---ography, extortion, compelled abortions, branding, degradation, and humiliation."
As of August 2020, Keith Raniere is awaiting his sentencing in Brooklyn. Similarly, Allison Mack is also expecting her sentencing, and she has pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering and one count of racketeering conspiracy.
What Is NXIVM Branding?
NXIVM Branding means the rituals amongst the NXIVM organization members. Records show that the leader of the organization NXIVM, Keith Raniere, tried to escape away from the 'NXIVM Branding Rituals.' However, he has involvement in some of the scripts of the ceremonial branding of some women involved in NXIVM.
According to Keith Raniere's branding, women's bodies would be arranged thoroughly before being branded. It means women's 'legs are spread straight, like feet being held to the side of the table, hand above the head, and being held almost like tied down.' Raniere believed that women should be completely naked for branding rituals.
And the women, who were 'slaves,' had their skin seared with a symbol that included Mr. Raniere's initials. One of the victims was the former member of NXIVM, Sarah Edmonson, who opened about the company back in 2017.
Sarah Edmonson showing her skin seared with Keith Raniere's initials (©: NYTimes)
As per Keith Raniere's conversation with the DOS master, Allison Mack (an American actress), branding could evoke the 'feeling of submission.' He further believed that women should ask to be branded before being held down so that it does not appear like they are being coerced. Similarly, videotaping the branding rituals would be a plus point for collateral, and women must be kept in 'a more vulnerable position.'
As per Allison Mack, the pain of the branding is a symbol of slaves' love for their master.