These places conduct zero-sum economic activity. One person loses money, one person gains money, and nothing of value is created. Draw a control volume around an economic activity to understand it. China: Opium in, silver out. Congo: Guns in, rubber out. This place: Money in, nothing out.
A hallmark of exploiters is that they have contempt for their marks. Well, I sense more than a little contempt here. Don't trust this person around children or small animals.
Of course she justifies herself eloquently; did you not just see what she spent the money on? An English degree.
Moreover, she admits that she understands what she was doing:
> my livelihood somehow still depended on men employing bad judgement.
So don't get distracted. Draw a control volume. And stay away from these places, and these people.
Most people here commenting, even those praising this writing, who will surely rush to defend her, must at some level clearly understand this. Like -- do you frequent prostitutes? ... Didn't think so. So you know I'm right.