Cult Leader Charged For Forced Prostitution Of Woman Held As Sex Slave

A man who is a self-proclaimed “patriarch” of a cult in Australia has been charged for keeping a woman as a sex slave and forcing her into prostitution.

James Robert Davis, 40, a former soldier from New South Wales, has been charged for the alleged psychological, physical and sexual abuse of a woman from 2012 to 2015.

Davis was the head of a cult group called “The House of Cadifor.” He has boasted online about his polyamarous relationships and BDSM lifestyle that involves bondage, discipline, slavery and masochism, reported news outlet The Sydney Morning Herald.

The police, according to the report, found that the woman was allegedly held captive in a “slave-like condition.” She was forced to wear a slave collar and had a slave number tattooed on her body.

“She was forced into prostitution with no pay. She was threatened with physical abuse and threats of death if she left that circumstance,” Justine Gough, Australian Federal Police ​Assistant Commissioner was quoted as saying.

The alleged abuse came to light after the woman who has resided at the House of Cadifor complained to the police. The police raided the property where Davis lives with his six other partners. During the search Thursday, the police seized documents, phones and other electronic devices for forensic analysis.

“She was coerced, manipulated and threatened to be involved in a bondage lifestyle, where there was alleged coercion and control,” Gough further said. The police alleged the victim has signed documents known as slavery contracts and there were aspects of “possession.”

Davis once appeared in a documentary where he described himself as a “rope performer, fetish photographer, BDSM writer, kink educator, lifestyle dominant, consent advocate, sex-industry professional, slut enthusiast, and an unlicensed gynaecologist.”

In a video footage, Davis proclaims himself a “patriarchal overlord” and all his partners call him as “master,” reported news outlet 9 News. The video also shows four women kneeling before him reciting their slave numbers and saying that they are ready to serve their master.

Davis was charged with three counts of slavery and sexual servitude offenses, under modern slavery laws. If convicted, slavery offenses carry maximum sentencing of 25 years in jail while the servitude offenses carry sentencing of 15-20 years in jail.

“We want the public to be aware that human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices are happening here in Australia, all too often without anyone in the community knowing,” Gough said. “ Our hope is for every case we investigate, it helps others experiencing similar conditions to speak up and seek our help,” she added.