For years, Backpage.com operated as one of the internet’s most notorious platforms. The website facilitated the exploitation and trafficking of countless people—many of them minors—before federal authorities finally shut it down and prosecuted its operators. But trauma experienced by survivors didn’t end when the platform closed.
The U.S. Department of Justice has established a victim compensation fund to provide financial relief for survivors of Backpage.com. The deadline to participate in this program is February 2nd, 2026. If you are a survivor of Backpage.com trafficking, the experienced mass tort lawyers at Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC will guide you through the application process, help you gather the necessary documentation, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us at (800) 220-0984 today for a free, confidential consultation.
How Backpage.com Facilitated Exploitation and Abuse
Backpage.com began as a general classified advertising website, similar to Craigslist, where people could post listings for jobs, housing, and items for sale. Over time, however, the platform evolved into something far more sinister. By the mid-2010s, Backpage had become one of the largest online venues for commercial sex advertisements in the United States, generating enormous revenue while turning a blind eye to the human cost behind those profits.
Vulnerable individuals were being coerced, manipulated, and sold through listings on the site. Sex traffickers and pimps used Backpage’s platform to advertise their victims, often without the victims’ consent or knowledge. The site’s lax moderation policies and minimal oversight created an environment where exploitation could flourish unchecked.
Backpage.com’s Criminal History and Shutdown
Law enforcement agencies across the country spent years working to hold Backpage accountable. Prosecutors and advocacy groups argued that the platform wasn’t only hosting user-generated content; it was actively profiting from and facilitating sex trafficking, including the trafficking of minors.
While Backpage’s operators attempted to shield themselves under the protections of the Communications Decency Act, which generally protects websites from liability for content posted by users, growing evidence suggested the company had crossed legal and ethical lines.
California led the charge against Backpage, with prosecutors building cases that would eventually contribute to a nationwide reckoning. Other states followed suit, and the pressure intensified. Eventually, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a comprehensive investigation into the website’s operations, focusing on charges of money laundering and the facilitation of illegal commercial sex enterprises.
In April 2018, federal authorities seized Backpage.com, shutting down the site and arresting its key executives. The criminal prosecutions that followed resulted in convictions of several top executives in 2023. These convictions marked a significant step toward justice, but for many survivors, the legal victories alone couldn’t undo the harm they’d suffered.
The DOJ Backpage Remission Program for Survivors
Following the criminal convictions, the Department of Justice established a remission program designed to provide financial compensation to victims of Backpage.com. This fund provides an opportunity for survivors to receive monetary relief for the losses and trauma they endured.
If you or someone you know was advertised on Backpage.com between January 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018, you may be eligible for compensation. Additionally, victims who were posted on CityXGuide—a website that essentially picked up where Backpage left off—between April 8, 2018, and June 19, 2020, may also qualify for relief through this program.
Who Is Eligible for the Backpage.com Remission Program?
To participate in the DOJ remission program, you must meet certain criteria. You may be eligible if:
- You or a loved one was a victim of sex trafficking on Backpage.com or CityXGuide. This includes anyone who was exploited through advertisements posted on these platforms, regardless of whether they were aware of the listings at the time.
- You were either self-advertised or advertised by someone else on either Backpage.com or CityXGuide. Many victims were posted without their knowledge or consent by traffickers, pimps, or other exploiters. Both situations qualify.
- You have or can obtain proof that you were advertised on either or both websites. Documentation such as screenshots, links, archives, or other records showing your presence on these platforms will be necessary to support your claim.
If you do not currently have legal representation and want to apply for the remission program, Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can help. Our firm understands the sensitive nature of these cases and will work with you to determine your eligibility and build a strong petition.
How an Attorney Guides You Through the Process
Applying for compensation through the Backpage remission program can feel daunting, particularly when it requires you to revisit painful memories and gather evidence of your exploitation. That’s where Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC comes in. Our role is to stand beside you through every stage of this process.
We help clients gather the necessary records and documentation to support their claims, which might include archived screenshots, medical records, police reports, or other evidence. We prepare your application with care and precision, ensuring that every detail is accurate and complete. And we submit your claim on your behalf, advocating for the full compensation you are entitled to under the program.
How to Apply for Compensation as a Backpage.com Survivor
The DOJ has made petition forms available online at https://www.backpageremission.com/, where you can file your claim electronically or download the necessary paperwork. If you prefer to request a physical form or need additional assistance, you can contact the Remission Administrator at 1-888-859-9206 (toll-free) or 1-971-316-5053 for international calls.
It’s important to note that neither the Remission Administrator nor the Department of Justice will ever ask you for payment to participate in this program. The process is entirely free.
The deadline to submit your petition is February 2nd, 2026. While that may seem like there’s time, gathering documentation, completing forms, and ensuring your application is accurate can take longer than expected. Starting the process sooner rather than later will give you the best chance at a successful outcome. Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can help you gather the necessary documentation, complete your application accurately, and ensure your voice is heard.
Don’t wait to get the support you deserve. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 today for a free, confidential consultation about your Backpage.com victim fund claim.