Survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation through Backpage.com or CityXGuide may be eligible for financial compensation – but you must act before March 31, 2026. This is a critical opportunity that many survivors may not know exists, and it’s essential you hear about it now. If you or someone you care about was trafficked through Backpage.com or CityXGuide, contact Justice for Kids® at (754) 888-5437.
What Happened
Backpage.com was one of the largest online marketplaces traffickers used for years to post classified ads that facilitated commercial sex and sex trafficking. After years of investigation and federal prosecution, Backpage was seized in 2018; a successor site, CityXGuide, was shut down in 2020.
Federal authorities forfeited roughly $200 million in assets tied to the sites’ profits. These funds have been designated — through what’s called the Backpage Remission Program — to help survivors recover documented economic losses tied to the trafficking they endured.
Who May Be Eligible
You may be eligible if:
- You were sex trafficked through ads on Backpage.com between January 1, 2004 and April 6, 2018; or
- You were trafficked through CityXGuide ads between April 8, 2018 and June 19, 2020.
Survivors do not have to have reported the trafficking to law enforcement to apply.
What the Remission Program Covers
This special Department of Justice process is meant to compensate survivors for economic losses caused by the trafficking. Compensation may include:
- Medical or behavioral health care related to your trafficking experience
- Counseling or therapy expenses
- Lost income or other out-of-pocket costs tied to your exploitation
The remission process is not designed for general pain and suffering, but for specific, documentable financial impacts.
The Deadline Is March 31, 2026
To be considered for compensation, a petition must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
Why Acting Now Matters
Many survivors don’t know this process exists. The government and survivor advocacy groups are urging anyone who was trafficked through these sites — and who suffered economic loss — to submit a petition as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.
Preparation of the petition can be time consuming. You do not want to wait until the deadline. If you have not started collecting documents, we suggest you start immediately. Documentation might include: medical bills, therapy records, receipts, police reports, or copies of ads posted on Backpage or CitiXGuide. It is safest to leave nothing out.
How Justice for Kids Can Help
Justice for Kids® is committed to supporting trafficking survivors through representation in legal processes that can open doors to justice and recovery.
We can help you:
- Understand the eligibility requirements
- Gather and organize documentation
- Prepare and submit your remission petition before the March 31 deadline
- Connect with additional support resources as needed
You don’t have to do this alone. But you do need to take action before time runs out.
This remission program is real — and the deadline is approaching. If this applies to you, we encourage you to act now.
