"I Feel Safer on the Streets Where I Can See Everyone"... Homeless at Seoul Station Exposed to Sexual Offenses and Violence

23.3% Experienced Physical Assault and Abuse

"The Fear of a Helping Hand Approaching"

Even with Illness or Mental Disorders, Many Fall Through the Cracks of Treatment

"Urgent Need for Tailored Interventions Beyond Just Providing Shelt

Around 9 p.m. on the 22nd of last month, in the second-floor waiting room of Seoul Station, Ms. Lee (67), a female homeless individual, was sitting in one corner of the bustling station ahead of the holiday. The ends of her navy T-shirt sleeves were frayed in places, and the heels of her sneakers were flattened, barely hanging on her toes. A staff member from the Seoul Station Restart Integrated Support Center for the homeless suggested, "Why don't you sleep at the center tonight?" but Ms. Lee shook her head. She explained, "I ran away from home because I was afraid of people, so I don't know what might happen if I go into the center."

On the 22nd of last month, a female homeless person, Ms. Lee (67), whom we met in the Seoul Station waiting room, sat with her belongings beside her, refusing the recommendation to use the Restart Support Center. Photo by Hosu Park

Around midnight, Ms. Lee began laying newspapers and boxes on the cold plaza floor. Having come to Seoul Station from Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, she has been living on the streets for two years. She has a son and a daughter, but has lost contact with them for a long time. Pointing to the ground, she said, "Here, I can see everyone coming and going, so I feel at ease."

Ms. Lee's choice, which might seem difficult to understand, is not an unusual story on the streets around Seoul Station at night. From 8 p.m. that evening until 2 a.m. the next day, more than 30 homeless individuals were encountered at Seoul Station Plaza and the tent village near the West Station. They ranged from those who had been homeless for less than a year to veterans who had lived on the streets for over 20 years. Among them, female homeless individuals were still exposed to risks of sexual offenses and violence. Some return to the streets due to anxiety and mental health issues experienced in crowded facilities.

At around 11:30 p.m. on the 22nd of last month, male homeless individuals were resting in the hallway of the Seoul Metropolitan Restart Seoul Station Hope Support Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Female homeless individuals were more often found staying on the streets or in public squares instead of facilities. Photo by Jiye Lee.

Another female homeless individual, Ms. Han (63), who asked the reporter for "just one long-sleeved shirt," was in a similar situation. Even after being told that clothing and support items were available at the center, she firmly refused, saying, "I'm not going there," and waved her hand. She explained that on the streets, danger often comes before help. Ms. Han claimed, "There are many male homeless individuals who target struggling women, offering to rent a room for them using their basic welfare benefits, asking them to come along." She also said, "It's common for drunk men to touch women who are asleep." Ms. Kim (73), who has lived at Seoul Station for over 20 years, added, "I've seen cases where someone approached offering help, only to harm or even impregnate the woman."

Recently, there was an eyewitness account of a woman in her 40s, barefoot and wearing a yellow dress, who was left among men and then handed over to the police. A police officer explained, "She appeared to be pregnant, but she actually had abdominal swelling due to liver disease and is now receiving hospital treatment." The officer added, "Many female homeless individuals suffer from delusions or alcohol dependence, making on-site response difficult." The officer continued, "In particular, many female homeless individuals have experienced violence or abuse, making them highly wary of others and often refusing help. Legally, it is difficult to take forced action against their will, so we always feel limited."

The vulnerability of female homeless individuals is also evident in the statistics. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of 2024, the number of homeless individuals nationwide was 12,725, a decrease of 11.6% compared to 2021. Women accounted for only 22.4% (2,851) of all homeless individuals, but their exposure to risk was higher. According to an analysis last year by the Korean Women's Development Institute, 13.5% of female homeless individuals living on the streets or in temporary shelters reported having experienced sexual harassment or assault. In the same survey, there were no male respondents who reported such experiences. The rate of physical assault and maltreatment was also 23.3% for women, more than four times higher than men. The rate of having been diagnosed with a mental illness was as high as 51.8%, but cases that actually led to treatment were rare.

Near the Seoul Station Police Box, the Restart Hope Support Center operates 24 hours a day. There is also a shelter exclusively for women. However, due to the nature of communal living spaces, many still hesitate to use them. A social worker who has been on the scene for 13 years said, "Many female homeless individuals end up on the streets after being pushed out of various options. We need to think beyond simply providing a place to sleep, and consider how to help them reconnect with society and rebuild relationships."

Lee Nami, Director of Psychiatric Services at Yongin Psychiatric Hospital, warned, "Women suffering from mental illness are at high risk of being exploited for crimes. There are also many cases where they are exposed to fraud, such as being asked to open bank accounts under their name for criminal purposes." She emphasized, "We should not view homeless individuals as a single group, but rather distinguish the causes that led them to the streets, such as economic hardship, domestic violence, and mental illness. A system in which social workers, doctors, and clinical psychologists intervene together is necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.