PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The website Backpage.com was a major conduit for illegal prostitution across the globe before it was seized and shut down by the federal government in 2018.
Now, human trafficking victims in Portland who may have been impacted by the site may be able to be compensated through the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
The program is available due to the U.S. Department of Justice forfeiting assets from the site to compensate its victims, for a total amount seized between $200-$250 million.
Officials with the Multnomah County DA’s Office are now working to notify local victims who may be eligible for compensation.
The DOJ also created a website where victims can apply for that money or receive free legal help.
The compensation program also applies to victims associated with Backpage’s sister site, CityXGuide, which took over illegal online sex trafficking operations after the former site was shut down, from 2018 until 2020.
During a press conference held by the Multnomah County DA’s Office at the courthouse on Friday, piles of envelopes with letters set to be mailed out to victims symbolized the widespread damage these sites caused.
“This is specifically for folks who have been trafficked, bought and sold against their will, and that includes children,” said Robin Miller, a survivor and advocate.
“Through searching our databases, we have identified 1,200 individuals who may have been exploited,” said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Glen (JR) Ujifusa, who runs MCDA’s Human Trafficking Division and is spearheading the effort of letting local survivors know about money available to help them heal.
The program to compensate victims, called the Backpage Remission Program, is being overseen by the DOJ.
To apply for the program, victims must complete a petition form to verify any monetary or health impacts caused as a result of trafficking.
Victims have until February 2, 2026, to file a claim.
Mia Villanueva
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