Human trafficking remains one of the most pressing global challenges, violating fundamental human rights and

undermining social, legal, and political systems worldwide. Despite the establishment of international

instruments such as the Palermo Protocol, responses to trafficking continue to suffer from fragmented policy

implementation, weak institutional capacity, and inconsistent collaboration among agencies. These gaps

highlight the urgent need to examine how institutional frameworks and multi-agency collaborations can be

more effectively aligned to combat trafficking. This study aims to analyse the research landscape on policy

coordination in combating human trafficking, with particular emphasis on institutional frameworks and

prevention, and novel themes including social rehabilitation, economic empowerment of survivors, and the

prevention of organ trafficking. Prominent scholars were identified as shaping the discourse on cross-sector

collaboration and systemic change. Theoretically, the study contributes to governance and human rights

perspectives by situating trafficking within multidimensional frameworks, while practically, it underscores the

importance of resource allocation, inter-agency trust, and survivor-centred interventions. Limitations include

reliance on Scopus-indexed publications and abstract-based analysis, but these are offset by the study’s broad

coverage and analytical depth. The review concludes that future research should expand empirical evaluations

of collaborative practices and explore interdisciplinary approaches to address emerging challenges.

Collaboration, Governance and Human Rights

efforts; it demands cohesive governance strategies, strong institutional frameworks, and effective coordination

among diverse stakeholders.

While governments worldwide have implemented anti-trafficking policies, fragmented responses and lack of

policy coherence often undermine progress. Effective multi-agency collaboration—among law enforcement,

judicial institutions, civil society organizations, and international actors—has been identified as central to

developing comprehensive responses (Rinaldi-Semione & Brewster, 2023; Pajón & Walsh, 2023). Yet,

disparities in resources, organizational mandates, and institutional cultures frequently generate barriers to

transnational nature necessitates cross-border policy alignment and international cooperation, an area that

remains underdeveloped in many jurisdictions (Oğuz, 2012; Fekry et al., 2023).

research gap in systematically synthesizing knowledge on how institutional frameworks and policy

coordination mechanisms have been employed across contexts, as well as identifying emerging themes and

best practices.

The present study aims to conduct a systematic review of institutional frameworks and multi-agency

collaboration in combating human trafficking, with a particular focus on analysing research areas, mapping

conceptual developments, identifying topic experts, and capturing emerging themes in the literature. By

synthesizing past studies and organizing findings into a concept map, this review seeks to clarify how

coordination has been theorized, operationalized, and evaluated across multiple jurisdictions.

The contribution of this review lies in offering a structured, comparative synthesis that advances both

academic and policy debates. For scholars, it consolidates dispersed literature into a comprehensive knowledge

and constructs a concept map to visualize the intellectual landscape. Section 5 discusses theoretical and

practical contributions, while Section 6 concludes with recommendations for future research and policy

innovation.

This study adopted a systematic review approach supported by Scopus AI Analytics to explore the research

landscape on policy coordination in combating human trafficking. The analysis was conducted during the

Scopus AI on 11 September 2025, marking the dataset from which the review was extracted and analysed. The

integration of Scopus AI into the process allowed not only the retrieval of bibliometric data but also the

generation of advanced insights through thematic mapping, identification of key topic experts, and detection of

emerging research clusters—features that significantly extend beyond traditional database searches (Elsevier,

"fighting" OR "addressing" OR "preventing") AND ("law enforcement" OR "justice" OR "government" OR

"NGO") AND ("victim support" OR "rehabilitation" OR "protection" OR "assistance"). This formulation

ensured the retrieval of publications that addressed institutional frameworks, governance strategies, victim

support measures, and multi-sectoral interventions. To maintain scholarly rigor, only peer-reviewed journal

articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings indexed in Scopus were included in the dataset (Moher et

al., 2015).

The data extraction and analysis process relied on the multiple dimensions offered by Scopus AI. The

Summary feature generated a general overview of the scope and breadth of the field, highlighting the recurring

use of terms such as coordination, collaboration, and multi-agency frameworks in anti-trafficking research. The

Expanded Summary provided deeper insights by categorizing the literature into thematic areas, including law

enforcement partnerships, judicial cooperation, civil society engagement, and victim rehabilitation, thereby

establishing a broader contextual understanding of the field. The Concept Map produced by Scopus AI visually

represented linkages between keywords and research clusters, revealing central nodes such as multi-agency

collaboration, victim protection, policy frameworks, and international cooperation, while also identifying

centred approaches in national and international frameworks (Rinaldi-Semione & Brewster, 2023; Pajón &

Walsh, 2023).

analysis of the research landscape while simultaneously mapping conceptual developments and identifying

emerging directions in the field. The combination of structured database searching and AI-enhanced analytics

offered not only a synthesis of existing scholarship but also valuable insights into the evolution of research

priorities and practical applications in addressing human trafficking.

The results of this systematic review, derived from Scopus AI Analytics, provide a comprehensive overview of

The findings from the Summary and Expanded Summary of the Scopus AI analysis reveal that policy

coordination and multi-agency collaboration are central to global anti-trafficking efforts. The international

legal and policy framework has been anchored by the adoption of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and

Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (commonly known as the Palermo Protocol),

supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. This framework established the so-

called “3P paradigm”—prosecution, prevention, and protection—serving as the cornerstone of institutional

responses to trafficking (Martin & Callaway, 2011). However, the effectiveness of these instruments depends

largely on how they are operationalized at national and local levels, with implementation varying significantly

across contexts.

services, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and intelligence-sharing networks have shown promising

results in problem diagnosis and coordinated action (Rinaldi-Semione & Brewster, 2023). Similarly,

Castellano (2023) emphasizes that civil society organizations, when consulted by policymakers, play a critical

role in strengthening both prosecution and prevention efforts. These findings underline the importance of

engaging diverse stakeholders in building resilient and adaptive institutional frameworks.

Nevertheless, the review also identifies significant challenges in sustaining multi-sectoral collaboration. Foot

(2019) notes that differences in power, status, and financial capacity among organizations often hinder

effective cooperation, while cultural and value-based tensions can exacerbate these divisions. Moreover, power

dynamics shaped by gender, ethnicity, and race create additional obstacles in collaborative processes.

Hounmenou and Toepp (2023) highlight that while partnerships between private investigation agencies and

law enforcement can yield positive outcomes in trafficking investigations, they are frequently undermined by

institutional mistrust and differing professional norms. Such challenges suggest that while collaboration is

essential, it must be supported by mechanisms that promote equality, transparency, and trust among actors.

However, their contributions are often constrained by limited resources and inconsistent engagement with

formal policy processes, underscoring the need for stronger institutional integration.

At the transnational level, collaboration between states and international actors is increasingly recognized as

vital for combating trafficking networks that operate across borders. Pittaro (2015) argues that police

leadership in establishing transnational collaborations remains pivotal, particularly in aligning enforcement

priorities and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Such collaboration not only enhances operational capacities

but also strengthens victim assistance by ensuring continuity of care across jurisdictions. Yet, the persistence

of fragmented legal systems and uneven political commitment continues to undermine the coherence of these

efforts.

Taken together, the results highlight a dual reality in the field of anti-trafficking governance: on the one hand,

trafficking. At the core, the map connects Human Trafficking Frameworks with key dimensions of governance,

collaboration, and victim protection, highlighting how institutional and practical responses are interlinked

across multiple levels.

systematically, ensuring a holistic approach that aligns with both human rights obligations and empirical

evidence of victim needs.

understood as dynamic—where frameworks provide direction but where power asymmetries must be actively

addressed to sustain meaningful partnerships.

frameworks, policymakers can ensure that victim-centred responses are not marginalized but integrated into

mainstream anti-trafficking strategies.

exploitation, slavery, and violations of bodily integrity (Malebranche et al., 2021). At the global level, the

adoption of the Palermo Protocol under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

prevention, and protection (Martin & Callaway, 2011). While this framework has provided a strong foundation

for coordinated action, gaps remain in addressing internal trafficking within states, particularly in relation to

systemic vulnerabilities and localized exploitation that require tailored institutional responses.

and enforcement capacity, noting that despite compliance with EU Directive 2011/36/EU, systemic barriers

undermine implementation. These cases demonstrate that the effectiveness of institutional frameworks depends

not only on their formal adoption but also on the availability of resources, interagency coordination, and

political commitment to enforce anti-trafficking measures consistently.

Beyond compliance with international instruments, the integration of a human rights framework has been

proposed to strengthen institutional responses. Obokata (2006) argues that such a framework clarifies state

obligations to prohibit trafficking, punish offenders, protect victims, and address underlying causes of

exploitation. This perspective enriches institutional frameworks by embedding them within a broader

normative order, ensuring that anti-trafficking responses are not solely punitive but also protective and

preventive. By linking legal frameworks with rights-based obligations, institutions are better positioned to

deliver survivor-centred responses that align with international human rights standards.

Despite these advances, significant challenges persist. Many national frameworks remain reactive, focusing

as agencies operate in silos without sufficient coordination or resource-sharing. The relationship between

human trafficking frameworks and institutional frameworks thus highlights a critical tension: while

international instruments and human rights-based approaches provide strong normative guidance, their

practical impact depends on the extent to which states develop integrated, well-resourced, and technologically

adaptive institutions. Closing this gap will require sustained political will, investment in capacity building, and

stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure that institutional frameworks translate into tangible protection

and justice for trafficking victims.

Complementing Miller’s contributions, Summer S. Miller-Walfish has emerged as an important voice in the

field, with 110 citations and an h-index of 5. Although earlier in her academic trajectory, Miller-Walfish has

engaged directly with the complexities of policy and systems change in contexts where intimate partner

violence intersects with human trafficking. Her evaluation of a federal cross-sector initiative highlights the

operational challenges and opportunities of multi-agency collaboration (Miller-Walfish, 2021). Her work

underscores the importance of fostering inter-organizational trust, aligning sectoral priorities, and ensuring

equitable resource distribution—factors that directly impact the sustainability of institutional frameworks. By

advancing these perspectives, Miller-Walfish contributes to the growing recognition that effective anti-

practitioner whose contributions are situated at the intersection of academic research and policy

implementation. Segebrecht’s work on federal initiatives addressing intimate partner violence and human

trafficking highlights the value of embedding multi-agency collaboration within broader institutional

frameworks (Segebrecht, 2022). While her academic footprint is still developing, her professional role within

the Health Resources and Services Administration provides her with unique practical insights into the

federal initiatives translate into practice, particularly in health and social service settings that are often critical

Taken together, the contributions of these experts illustrate the diversity of perspectives within the field of

policy coordination and human trafficking governance. Miller provides a highly influential, theoretically

grounded, and empirically tested body of work that shapes academic discourse and guides systemic policy

approaches. Miller-Walfish expands this knowledge by interrogating the practical challenges of implementing

collaborative strategies, offering a growing evidence base for refining institutional frameworks. Segebrecht

theoretical models, empirical evaluations, and on-the-ground policy implementation. This synergy between

established scholars, emerging academics, and practitioner voices provides a comprehensive knowledge base

characterized by consistent priorities, rising areas of scholarly and policy attention, and novel issues that are

beginning to shape future directions. These themes reflect not only the evolution of academic inquiry but also

the practical needs of institutions and policymakers in addressing the complexity of human trafficking.

One of the most consistent themes in the field is the emphasis on international and national policy

coordination. The persistence of this theme reflects the enduring importance of harmonizing efforts across

jurisdictions to combat human trafficking effectively. The Palermo Protocol and subsequent international

instruments have provided a strong foundation for cooperation, yet their effectiveness depends on how states

adapt and implement these commitments domestically (Martin & Callaway, 2011). Studies such as those by

facilitates more effective prosecution of cross-border trafficking cases, while national adaptations improve

ensuring operational effectiveness.

judicial institutions (Foot, 2019). Pajón and Walsh (2023) show that collaborative models enable agencies to

share intelligence, improve victim protection, and enhance enforcement outcomes. Similarly, Huff-Corzine,

Sacra, Corzine, and Rados (2017) demonstrate the effectiveness of multi-agency task forces in increasing

trafficking arrests. The literature indicates that legal frameworks which incorporate diverse stakeholder input

are more likely to address the complex realities of trafficking, underscoring the value of collaborative

A novel theme gaining momentum is the focus on social rehabilitation and economic empowerment of human

trafficking survivors. While earlier frameworks prioritized prosecution and prevention, recent scholarship

increasingly highlights the importance of long-term recovery and reintegration (Surtees, 2013). Economic

empowerment programs, including vocational training and employment initiatives, have been identified as

which represents a distinct but increasingly urgent challenge. Unlike traditional forms of trafficking, organ

trafficking requires specialized legal frameworks and international cooperation due to its highly organized and

transnational nature (Ambagtsheer & Weimar, 2016). Scholars argue that existing human trafficking laws are

insufficient to address the complexities of organ trafficking, calling for new global standards and enforcement

mechanisms (Danovitch et al., 2017). The emergence of this theme underscores the need to expand the scope

of anti-trafficking research and policy to encompass biomedical exploitation, ensuring that legal and

institutional responses remain adaptive to evolving forms of trafficking.

This systematic review has examined the role of institutional frameworks and multi-agency collaborations in

combating human trafficking, drawing on insights from Scopus AI analysis that highlighted consistent, rising,