Backpage was once the leading commercial sex advertisement website up until its seizure by the United States government in April 2018. From 2004 to April 2018, Backpage.com allowed predators to use its product to facilitate the sex trafficking of children and adults across the country.  

In December 2024, the Department of Justice forfeited $200 million+ in assets traceable to Backpage’s profits. These funds are now available to compensate victims whose sex trafficking was facilitated through ads posted on Backpage.com between January 1, 2004 – April 6, 2018, and who incurred financial losses related to their trafficking.

Backpage.com hosted millions of ads for commercial sex acts (defined as the exchange of money or other things of value – food, drugs, housing – for sex). It was the #1 site used by sex workers for years, but the company knowingly turned a blind eye to the sex trafficking happening on its site.

Sex trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a commercial sex act. While there are adults who engage in the sex trade consensually, all underage people in the sex trade are legally recognized as victims of child sex trafficking. You may be eligible to compensation if:  

  • Your underage images were posted on Backpage (whether you posted them yourself or not) to facilitate a commercial sex act 
  • Someone else posted your images on Backpage without your consent to advertise for commercial sex 
  • You were forced by someone else to post ads on Backpage for commercial sex 

Victims trafficked via CityXGuide between April 8, 2018 to June 19, 2020 may also be eligible.

The fund provides for three categories of losses that are compensable: medical, behavioral health, and lost wages. We will work with you to put together an application with the requisite documentation required.

We represent people who engage with the sex trade in various ways – whether it’s sex workers under attack by clients, clients of sex workers being extorted, or victims of sex trafficking. At C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, we believe that if somebody hurt you, somebody must pay.

If you or someone you know is considering filing a claim, please reach out to us ASAP at cagoldberglaw.com/contact. The deadline to file a petition for remission is February 2, 2026. 

“This is just another example of tech platforms once again choosing profit over people. We go to war for our clients and fight for their safety, privacy, and peace. Sometimes, our only option is to make these companies pay. We know that financial compensation cannot undo the harms caused, but it might help make life a little more comfortable for those suffering.” – Carrie Goldberg