‘Joining the dots’ and addressing the challenges with Greater Manchester's modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) partnerships approach

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21497828
AutoresJon Davies (0000-0002-4561-1839, The University of Manchester, autor de correspondencia), Robin Broad (0000-0001-9197-9901, University of Manchester), Rose Broad (The University of Manchester), Tomáš Diviák (0000-0001-7239-8466, The University of Manchester), Celine Giese (0009-0006-2679-2140, The University of Manchester), D Gadd (0000-0002-0362-7648, The University of Manchester), Siân Payne (Greater Manchester Combined Authority)
Año2026
Fecha de publicación2026-06-12
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaProbation Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0264-5505 • E-ISSN: 1741-3079
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/02645505261453306
OpenAlexW7164561324
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas31

Modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) continue to present complex challenges internationally and in the United Kingdom, especially when intersecting with migration systems, labour markets, criminal justice and welfare regimes. This article presents the first comprehensive review of MSHT partnerships in the city-region of Greater Manchester, which has aspects of devolved governance and a well-established culture of cross-sector collaboration. Drawing on qualitative interviews, a practitioner survey and social network analysis, we examine how statutory bodies and NGO/charity organisations coordinate their responses to MSHT, as well as the overlapping areas of homelessness, migration and asylum. Our findings show a broadly cohesive and collaborative partnership landscape, yet one that is held back by the absence of a longer-term vision and governance strategy, lack of resources, inconsistent survivor support and limited private sector engagement. We argue that meaningful MSHT responses and partnerships require not only inter-organisational cooperation, but also clear strategic direction, sustainable investment, and more consistent involvement and acknowledgement of people with lived experience. The article provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen city-region MSHT partnerships and contributes wider insights for multi-organisational approaches to exploitation

Acknowledgement · Corporate governance · Criminal justice · Economic Justice · General partnership · Human trafficking · Statutory law · Voluntary sector · Global trade, sustainability, and social impact · Mining and Resource Management · Sex work and related issues