This report analyses national governance of the Dutch approach to trafficking in human beings (THB). It identifies key bottlenecks in policy, funding, investigation and victim support, and assesses whether a National Coordinator could improve coordination, continuity and effectiveness within the current governance structure.
[National governance and coordination of the response to human trafficking in the Netherlands: Expert roundtables on challenges and the possible role of a national coordinator]
ResearchPublished Apr 13, 2026
Note: This report is in Dutch. An English-language summary is available.
This study examines the national governance and coordination of the approach to trafficking in human beings (THB) in the Netherlands. Commissioned by the Dutch Research and Data Centre (WODC), the research responds to concerns about fragmentation and shortcomings in coordination at the national level. The study explores how responsibilities are currently distributed across local, regional and national levels, identifies key bottlenecks in policy, funding, investigation and prosecution, and shelter and care, and assesses the potential added value of a National Coordinator for Human Trafficking.
The research is based on a targeted literature review, two expert roundtables [FN1] and three additional interviews. Findings show substantial regional variation, fragmented funding, limited information sharing and capacity constraints, particularly in shelter and care. While existing initiatives provide a foundation, their impact is often limited by a lack of strategic mandate and continuity. The study concludes that a National Coordinator could help strengthen national cohesion, improve information exchange, clarify roles and responsibilities, and enhance oversight, particularly in shelter and care, provided the role is clearly mandated and well embedded within the current governance structure.
The Dutch system for tackling human trafficking is highly fragmented, with responsibilities spread across local, regional and national levels and numerous actors. The Ministry of Justice and Security coordinates nationally, but its role lacks a legal basis, and there are no binding frameworks or minimum standards. Coordination therefore depends on voluntary cooperation, resulting in inconsistent practices, weak comparability and limited national oversight. This fragmentation hampers a coherent and effective national approach.
Approaches to trafficking vary widely between regions. Municipalities have broad autonomy in shelter and care, leading to unequal protection for victims depending on where they are identified. Smaller municipalities often lack capacity and expertise, while regional cooperation structures differ in maturity and effectiveness. Cross regional cases frequently face coordination gaps, producing uneven outcomes and increasing the risk that victims fall between jurisdictions.
A National Coordinator could strengthen coherence, continuity and oversight if the role is well defined and embedded in existing structures. The coordinator could clarify responsibilities, set consistent standards, improve data sharing and support monitoring across policy domains. The greatest impact would be in shelter and care, where shortages and coordination failures are most severe. However, the position would need clear authority and adequate resources, complementing rather than duplicating local and regional roles.
The research described in this report was prepared for the Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek- en Datacentrum (WODC) and conducted by RAND Europe.
This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND research reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.
