The Department of Justice announced the Backpage remission process to compensate victims whose trafficking was facilitated through the Backpage.com website, officials stated last week.This marks the largest remission process to date to compensate victims of human trafficking.
From 2004 to April 2018, criminals used Backpage.com as an online platform to facilitate commercial sex and sex trafficking, including trafficking of minors.
In April 2018, the government seized Backpage.com. To date, Backpage.com, its owners, and key executives and businesses related to the platform have been found guilty of criminal offenses, including conspiring to facilitate unlawful commercial sex using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce and money laundering, and have been sentenced to federal terms of imprisonment.
In December 2024, the Department of Justice forfeited over $200 million in assets traceable to Backpage’s profits. These funds are now available to compensate victims for eligible losses.
The Department of Justice has retained Epiq Global Inc. (Epiq) to serve as the Remission Administrator for this matter.
For more information about the remission process – including eligibility requirements, updates, and frequently asked questions – please visit the official website at https://www.backpageremission.com/ or contact Epiq at 1-888-859-9206 toll-free, or 1-971-316-5053