Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, human trafficking has emerged as one of the major trans-national phenomena affecting Turkey. Although trafficking in human beings is widely acknowledged as a serious crime and is countered by a sophisticated international law, global efforts to prevent trafficking and protect trafficked persons remain a serious challenge. This paper argues that such trafficking is connected to a number of cross-cutting issues such as gender, labour, development, and human security. The paper assesses current responses in the light of these issues, identifying gaps in actual prevention and protection efforts in the global context. The Turkish government’s recent reforms regarding migration management have been intended to respond to new migration dynamics. The article provides policy recommendations to address the cross-cutting issues to counter human trafficking in a holistic and comprehensive manner