This paper provides a historical overview of the regulation and understanding of prostitution and human trafficking, highlighting how perceptions and policies have evolved over time. The Greek State and later others attempted to regulate prostitution, but despite these efforts, prostitution has persisted in large towns for over 2,500 years, illustrating its deep roots in human social life. The concept of trafficking, particularly in the context of women, emerged from early 20th century international efforts. The term initially referred to the “white slave trade,” which involved the movement of European women to Arab and Eastern countries for immoral purposes like prostitution. The first international effort to combat this was the 1904 agreement aimed at suppressing the white slave trade, which initially focused on cross border trafficking. By 1910, the understanding expanded to recognize trafficking within national borders. Over time, trafficking became closely associated with prostitution and slavery. The 1949 Convention explicitly addressed trafficking in persons and exploitation related to prostitution, reinforcing this connection. Despite these historical understandings, some governments and organizations continue to conflate trafficking with undocumented migration or prostitution, which can be problematic. Such policies often lead to stricter immigration controls under the guise of fighting trafficking, but they may actually harm the rights and interests of women, especially those involved in migration or prostitution. Historically, the concept of trafficking has sometimes ignored the human rights of trafficked persons.