Compensation for Victims FBI urges Backpage and CityXGuide trafficking victims to apply for compensation before March 31 deadline
The FBI is urging people who were sex trafficked through classified ads on Backpage or CityXGuide—and suffered financial losses as a result—to apply for compensation through a special Department of Justice (DOJ) program before the March 31, 2026, deadline.
In July, Federal officials announced the launch of the Backpage Compensation Program to help trafficking victims recoup financial losses they encountered at the hands of Backpage and CityXGuide between 2004 and 2020. Last year, DOJ forfeited approximately $200 million in assets, which are available to compensate trafficking survivors for eligible financial losses, such as costs related to medical care, counseling, or lost income.
The FBI, DOJ, and partner agencies want to ensure all sex trafficking victims who suffered losses through the online platforms are aware of this opportunity for compensation.
"The goal is to return as much of the $200 million as possible to victims of trafficking," said Desirae Tolhurst, the FBI Phoenix Field Office special agent who led the Backpage investigation. She said the most critical piece to providing financial relief is documentation—medical records, receipts, emails, and even records of their online advertisements.
Tolhurst, a white-collar crime investigator, said documentation can be difficult since aliases, prepaid mobile "burner" phones, and fake phone numbers are not uncommon in trafficking circles: "So, it's not as straightforward as you might think."