Sex trafficking is one of the largest and most active crimes in India.

Ravi Kant , one of TCU’s 2017 Global Innovator award recipients,wants to bring awareness to the problem and help victims. Kant co-founded a non-profit organization called

Kant co-founded a non-profit organization called Shatki Vahini, whose purpose is to help rescue and rehabilitate female victims of sex trafficking. The Women and Gender Studies program sponsored a lecture by Kant about sex trafficking issues in India in March.

This year there were 20,000 reports of sex trafficking of women and children in India. Statistics like these inspired Kant to start Shatki Vahini with his brother, Rishi Kant, 26 years ago.

On Kant’s website, the mission is to access justice for women and children affected by sex trafficking. The organization raises money to help women and children mentally, physically and financially after their assaults.

Kant and his brother work diligently with the Indian government to return women and children from incidents of trafficking. Rishi works as legal representation for the victims while Ravi works as a publicist—engaging with the media and sharing victims’ stories.

Because most women and girls are not accepted back into their families after sex trafficking incidents, Shatki Vahini works to find housing for women and girls after their assaults.

Sex trafficking is so prevalent in India because of the cultural acceptance of child brides. Shatki Vahini works with the Indian government to get girls out of marriages–this is where Shatki Vahini focuses most of its efforts.

Shatki Vahini strives to bring awareness to these issues in India but also around the world. Because most incidents of sex trafficking happen across country lines, Kant frequently lectures in Nepal and Pakistan. He recalled a recent visit to Pakistan where Shatki Vahini found a group of women who were trafficked there five years ago.

Kant also travels around the United States asking students to join efforts to prevent sex trafficking. He has lectured at many universities and recently concluded a series of lectures with the Women and Gender Studies department at the University of Texas.

Kant is optimistic about the future of Shatki Vahini’s role in helping women and children. He promotes advocacy and thanks Americans for their interest and willingness to put an end to sex trafficking.

Kant encourages students to spread awareness about sex trafficking and to be diligent . Kant also encouraged students to apply for Shatki Vahini’s internships to work to end sex trafficking.