The term 'sex trade' is often used to describe the commercial sexual exploitation of women, men and children. However, there are a number of other synonyms that have been used over time, including 'prostitution', 'human trafficking', 'commercial sex work', 'sex industry' and 'sexual slavery'. While these terms may differ slightly in their focus and application, they all describe the exploitation of human beings for financial gain in the context of the sex industry. It is important to note that while these terms are often used interchangeably, they do not necessarily mean the same thing and can carry different connotations depending on the context in which they are used.