This thesis investigates two inter-related dimensions of contemporary human trafficking research. First, it examines the methods of control and coercion employed by ‘traffickers’ and experienced by victims of labour and sexual exploitation. Second, it analyses the ‘what, how, and why’ of media representation of human trafficking/modern slavery. Guided by an interdisciplinary theoretical lens combining the Action, Means, Purpose (AMP) model, Biderman’s coercion framework, Canter’s Victim-Role model, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems perspective, and Trauma Bonding, the research asks (i) which coercive methods are present in each exploitation phase; (ii) how these methods cluster and differ by gender; and (iii) how contemporary UK news media construct the narrative. Secondary data was sourced from Stop the Traffik (STT) and the Counter Trafficking Data Collaboration (CTDC) to examine coercion methods. Depictions of human trafficking/modern slavery were investigated through news media articles, utilising a quantitative content analysis to explore ‘what’ is portrayed and mixed-method qualitative text and discourse analysis (MMQTDA) approach to identify thematic patterns and linguistic and contextual expression. STT and CDTC findings demonstrate core overlapping coercion tactics, where distinct gender patterns emerged and varied across the two datasets. Findings provide basis for a ‘working’ framework of coercion and control methods in human trafficking and modern slavery. The common use of ‘Victim as Object’ roles implies that objectification and dominance significantly symbolise the relationship between ‘trafficker’ and victim, however, difference was discovered between labour and sexual exploitation. News media findings highlight sensationalist, socio-political divisive messages, distancing the public from the nuanced and complex narrative of human trafficking/modern slavery, projecting fear and government dependency. Implications consider the required comprehension of both professionals, agencies, media, and the public, in order to facilitate the nexus of victim-perpetrator, public-media, political agenda-public awareness.