A compensation fund has been established to support individuals impacted by activities associated with Backpage.com. This fund was created following a federal criminal case against Backpage.com and related individuals, who were accused of facilitating illegal advertisements involving personal information and images. The fund aims to provide financial relief to those whose images or details were posted on the website between 2004 and 2018 for activities such as promoting sex acts, escort services, massages, or dates. If you believe your personal information or photographs were used without consent on Backpage.com during this period, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. Details about how financial compensation will be provided to survivors is expected soon.
The Backpage.com abuse lawyers at Cooper Elliott are here to offer guidance and support throughout this process. Our team provides a completely confidential and judgment-free consultation to help determine if you qualify for compensation. We understand that coming forward with such experiences can feel overwhelming, which is why we prioritize your privacy and emotional well-being at every step. Our experienced professionals are dedicated to ensuring you feel supported and empowered to seek justice.
With extensive expertise in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, we are well-equipped to handle sensitive cases with care and professionalism. Our team will work closely with you to navigate this process, addressing your questions and concerns while helping you understand your rights and potential eligibility for financial claims.
This opportunity is a crucial step toward holding entities accountable for harm caused and providing victims with the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you know may have been affected by Backpage.com, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Cooper Elliott for a private consultation today. We are here to listen, guide, and support you on the path toward healing and justice. Let us help you take the next step with confidence and care.
The outcomes achieved by Cooper Elliott in numerous sexual abuse and hazing cases highlight our unwavering commitment to our clients. Our efforts have resulted in recovering tens of millions of dollars in compensation for survivors, often in cases involving influential organizations. Beyond financial settlements, we have passionately advocated for accountability and driven policy reforms aimed at safeguarding future generations of children and young adults.
Backpage.com and Its Impact on Sexual Abuse Victims
Backpage.com before the shutdown
At its height, Backpage.com was recognized as one of the largest online platforms for sex work, despite originally being designed as a classified ads marketplace similar to Craigslist, offering listings for jobs, housing, and other items for sale. According to The New York Times, the site generated $135 million in revenue in 2014, and an appraiser estimated that its parent company was valued at over $600 million by 2015. However, behind these figures lay a darker reality of exploitation, where women and girls were trapped in a cycle of coercion and abuse, often through sex trafficking operations orchestrated by pimps and others involved in commercialized sex industries.
How Backpage.com Abuse Lawyers Helped Get the Site Taken Down
For many years, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the United States worked tirelessly to dismantle Backpage.com, a website accused of enabling sexual exploitation, including cases involving child sex trafficking. Authorities argued that Backpage hosted advertisements promoting illegal activities under the guise of being a legitimate online classifieds platform. This drew attention to a broader issue with websites hosting user-generated content while evading accountability under the 1996 Communications Decency Act (CDA), a federal law that offers legal protections to websites, shielding them from liability for content posted by third parties. Unlike other platforms, such as Craigslist, which removed sections for escort services and commercial sex to avoid legal and reputational risks, Backpage.com maintained lax policies and minimal oversight. As a result, it became a haven for sex trafficking and exploitation.
California led the initial legal charge against Backpage, with prosecutors like Maggy Krell and then-Attorney General Kamala Harris spearheading efforts to hold the platform accountable. Their work inspired a wave of legal actions nationwide, culminating in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) stepping in with criminal charges against the company’s founders and executives. These charges included money laundering and the illegal promotion of prostitution. Prosecutors highlighted how the platform profited from ads linked to exploitation and criminal activities, making it a key enabler of modern-day trafficking networks.
The legal battle reached its peak in 2023 when a federal jury convicted Michael Lacey, John Brunst, and Scott Spear, all corporate executives of Backpage.com based in Arizona, on charges including the promotion of prostitution and multiple counts of money laundering, as well as conspiracy-related offenses. Carl Ferrer, another executive based in Texas, pleaded guilty for his role in facilitating the platform’s operations.
Before these convictions, the DOJ and the FBI seized Backpage.com in 2018, effectively shutting down the site. The government’s intervention marked a significant step in combating online platforms that facilitated illegal activities under the protection of the CDA. To this day, the website’s homepage displays a seizure notice from the FBI, a reminder of the platform’s downfall and the government’s efforts to curb sex trafficking.
The case against Backpage serves as a stark warning to other platforms that turn a blind eye to criminal activities, emphasizing the importance of accountability and proactive measures in the fight against exploitation.
Federal SESTA/FOSTA Law
The federal SESTA/FOSTA law, formally known as the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” (FOSTA) and the “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act” (SESTA), was enacted in 2018 to combat online sex trafficking. This landmark legislation amended Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), which traditionally shielded online platforms from liability for content posted by users. SESTA/FOSTA carved out an exception, holding websites accountable if they knowingly promote or facilitate sex trafficking.
How Backpage.com Abuse Lawyers Use the SESTA/FOSTA Law
The law was introduced in response to growing concerns about websites, such as Backpage.com, which were accused of hosting advertisements linked to trafficking and exploitation. Advocates for SESTA/FOSTA argued that these platforms profited from illegal activities while hiding behind Section 230 protections. By removing these legal shields, the law aimed to empower law enforcement and trafficking survivors to pursue legal action against offending websites.
SESTA/FOSTA Law Controversies
While SESTA/FOSTA represents a significant step in addressing online exploitation, it has sparked considerable controversy. Supporters praise the law for holding platforms accountable and providing tools to fight trafficking. However, critics argue that it has unintended consequences, including the suppression of legitimate content and harm to sex workers who relied on online platforms for safer communication and screening. They contend that by driving these activities underground, the law inadvertently increases risks for vulnerable individuals.
The law also raises broader concerns about free speech and the role of internet platforms in moderating user content. Many websites, fearing liability, have taken precautionary measures by removing or heavily moderating forums, even if unrelated to trafficking, to avoid legal exposure.
SESTA/FOSTA reflects the complexities of balancing efforts to combat exploitation with preserving online freedoms. Its long-term effects continue to be debated, influencing how policymakers and technology companies address issues of liability, accountability, and safety in the digital age.
Victims of Sex Trafficking and Sexual Abuse Resources:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
- RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Talk with our Team
The experienced sex trafficking and sexual abuse attorneys at Cooper Elliott are ready to help and listen if you have been a victim of Backpage.com. If you would like a confidential consultation to determine if you may be eligible for financial compensation, please complete this form and we will contact you.
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