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39 In the face of daily threats of violence from all corners, sex workers feel they have nowhere to turn. They fear prosecution if they seek help from the authorities and, at times, harsh judgment from organizations that aim to “rescue” them. Women’s groups with “anti-sex trade tendencies” have previously campaigned in areas where Kim has worked. Their work, which aims to help women exit the industry, carries a message that Kim refutes. “They said that we’re selling the right for men to rape us,” she says. “The red light districts are open to anyone, so those women’s rights activists would just come in and tell us things like that. But when some- one was interested in getting out of the industry and consulted them, they couldn’t give any real help because they didn’t have enough funds,” she says. The organizations’ reputation in the industry means that sex workers can be reluctant to reach out to them or accept their help. Lee argues that if these organizations were really concerned for the safety of peo - ple in the industry, they would do more to improve support. “Feminists should stop calling for more police raids and should focus on the more practical issues like improving working conditions by legislating new laws,” she says. Over the past decade, the government has increased assistance to those in the industry who exit it. The number of counseling centers and shelter facilities available increased from 61 in 2004 to 91 in 2014, as has the number of medical legal and vocational training services avail- able to women who exit the industry, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family website. But government resources are insufficient: A monthly stipend of 400,000 won is granted, but the minimum cost of living in Seoul is over 600,000 won per month for a single-person household. Kim says sex workers can potentially earn upwards of 75,000 won per hour to 300,000 per three hours depending on where they work, the frequen- cy of the customers and if they have a manager. The Gender Equality Ministry has previously declined to reveal to media the effectiveness of the exit programs. nowhere to turn ‘In the past, the sex workers st uck together and worked together with solidarity like a labor union; w e stood up to employers if we felt like one of us was being mistreated, but now we can’t.’ Kim Yeo-ni, sex worker, activist