Anti-sexual violence movement against punitive measures: The feminist activism of Korean WomenLink

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn South Korea, punitive measures in response to extreme sex-crimes against children have emerged since the mid-2000s. This punitive turn has been evident across the world; however, some scholars have argued that it is a result of the feminist movement against sexual violence and so has been labeled as “carceral feminism.” In this paper, I undertake a content analysis of documents of feminist organizations who work on issues of sexual violence, combined with data collected through interviews with activists. I seek to show how a feminist organization, Korean WomenLink Sexual Violence Relief Center (K-WomenLink), has actually created strategies and activities in opposition to this punitive turn in the public discourse and penal approach. Thereby, I argue that the Korean feminist movement against sexual violence in fact offers a counter-example to the discourse of carceral feminism with respect to their activities and the dynamics surrounding the movement.