Lydia Hadjara recounts her journey of recovery after escaping the Raelian sect, where she was manipulated from a young age. In her book, ‘I Was His Slave,’ she reveals the traumatic experiences she faced, including early sexual exploitation and psychological control by Raël, the sect’s leader. Despite enduring years of abuse and her mother’s continued involvement in the group, Lydia’s story highlights her struggle to reclaim her life and voice after years of silence.
Reclaiming Life After the Raelian Sect
Lydia Hadjara is on a profound journey of self-reconstruction, a path fraught with challenges. It’s been 17 years since she escaped the clutches of the Raelian sect, a controversial movement founded by a Frenchman who claims to be a prophet. Now residing in Japan at the age of 78, this figure continues to attract young followers. In her revealing book, ‘I Was His Slave’ (City Éditions), Lydia shares the harrowing experiences that have left a lasting impact on her life.
The Early Years and Manipulation
Lydia’s entry into the sect began at the tender age of four, guided by her mother. “I was introduced to this belief system by the very person who brought me into the world,” she shares in an interview with Audrey Crespo-Mara during the Portrait of the Week segment. The sect’s doctrine revolves around the idea that extraterrestrials created humanity, and Raël serves as their representative, tasked with establishing an embassy for their arrival.
From her childhood, the sect’s emphasis on sexuality was pervasive. “Raël’s writings advocate for early sexual awakening in children. There is an emphasis on physical affection, with everyone engaging in kisses and hugs,” Lydia recalls. At just nine years old, she caught the attention of Raël. “I felt as if I had met a celebrity,” she said, recalling how he complimented her beauty and promised they would spend time together. “My mother was thrilled; her desire for acknowledgment was fulfilled,” she adds.
However, Lydia’s childhood soon took a dark turn. “I was forced to engage in oral sex at an alarmingly young age,” she reveals, recounting her experiences with a close associate of Raël when she turned 13. The manipulation escalated, leading to a traumatic assault when she was only 15. “I convinced myself it was for Raël; I believed I was fulfilling a purpose,” she confesses, grappling with deep feelings of self-loathing.
Reflecting on Raël, Lydia describes him as “intelligent yet egotistical,” a master manipulator who could twist reality so convincingly that even when caught lying, his followers doubted their perceptions. “I was under his spell without realizing it,” she admits. “He was my idol, my reason for existence since I was four.” At 18, she had her first sexual encounter with Raël, who was in his mid-fifties at the time. “I felt trapped in a scenario where I was told I was lucky to serve him,” Lydia shares, revealing the psychological torment she endured.
Eventually, the weight of fulfilling Raël’s every desire took its toll. “My mind would dissociate from my body, and after each encounter, I would scrub myself clean, battling an overwhelming sense of dirtiness,” she expresses. Despite the horror of her experiences, Lydia clung to the illusion of privilege, driven by her mother’s affection and the recognition from other members of the sect.
At 25, a pivotal moment prompted her escape. A punishment from Raël triggered a realization within her. “The shame of disappointing him was unbearable,” she recounts. That fateful night, she endured a painful branding, a final act of control before she fled. Yet, she admits she never reported the abuse, believing Raël was beyond reproach. “It felt like my fault,” she states, revealing the difficulty of articulating her trauma. “How do you explain to a judge that you were raped and yet stayed? It took years to find my voice.” Today, the shadow of Raël still lingers in her life. Tragically, her mother remains entrenched in the sect, and Lydia has not heard from her in 16 years.