OneTaste Leaders Convicted in Controversial Forced Labor Trial: Unpacking the Dark Side of ‘Orgasmic Meditation’

NEW YORK — Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz, heads of OneTaste Inc., a company centered on women’s wellness through "orgasmic meditation," have been found guilty of serious federal charges related to forced labor.

This verdict comes after a Brooklyn jury deliberated for less than two days following a five-week trial. Daedone, 57, and Cherwitz, 44, face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors argued that they exploited vulnerable women, many of whom had experienced sexual trauma, using manipulation and intimidation to push them into uncomfortable situations. Some were allegedly coerced into sexual acts with potential clients and investors, framed as necessary steps toward personal freedom and enlightenment.

The prosecution described the pair’s tactics as abusive. They claimed Daedone and Cherwitz even pressured members to take out credit cards to pay for courses while failing to deliver promised earnings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nina Gupta highlighted this as a scheme built on the exploitation of victims, stating they lost much more than money—they lost their dignity and mental well-being.

Defense lawyers portrayed Daedone as a groundbreaking feminist entrepreneur who empowered women through a unique approach to sexuality. They argued that many former members left voluntarily as they outgrew the organization, suggesting that regret does not imply coercion.

Nevertheless, the jury’s decision has sparked considerable debate about the moral implications of the company’s practices. The organization’s focus on sexual empowerment and wellness was once heralded in the media, drawing interest across the globe. OneTaste seemed positioned as a bold new frontier for women’s rights, yet this case raises questions about consent and true empowerment.

Daedone originally co-founded OneTaste in San Francisco in 2004, promoting female orgasms as key to both psychological and social wellness. The company’s unique service, known as "orgasmic meditation," involved men providing manual stimulation to women in group settings. This combination of mindfulness and intimacy captured public attention, leading to rapid expansion in cities from Los Angeles to London.

However, scrutiny around the company began in late 2018 when media outlets reported on its controversial practices. Daedone sold her share of OneTaste for $12 million just a year before the firestorm of criticism started. The company has since rebranded as the Institute of OM Foundation. Current owners assert that their work has been misinterpreted and maintain that consent was always a core principle.

This conviction serves as a serious reminder of the complexities surrounding consent and empowerment. It’s essential to reflect on how practices that aim to uplift women can sometimes verge into manipulation. As public sentiment shifts and more stories surface, understanding the line between empowerment and exploitation becomes ever more critical.

For more information on consent and women’s rights, you can visit RAINN.

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