NCMEC United a Nationwide Network to Help Survivors Pursue Justice
In September 2025, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) launched the Backpage Survivor Remission Network to help survivors of sex trafficking through Backpage.com and CityXGuide.com seek compensation through a historic U.S. Department of Justice remission program.
More than $200 million in assets seized from the sites was set aside for victims. But accessing those funds was anything but simple.
Survivors faced a complex claims process that required them to prove they had been trafficked through the sites, locate documentation that in some cases was years old, and revisit deeply traumatic experiences, all within a limited filing window.
For many survivors, those barriers could make an already difficult process feel impossible.
“Backpage ruined my life and still follows me to this day. Without the support of NCMEC, I wouldn’t have been able to connect to an attorney who made sure I filed the petition correctly.”
BACKPAGE SURVIVOR
SHOBA PILLAY | PARTNER, JENNER & BLOCK
“It’s just like the dark side of the world. It’s different when you’re dealing with trafficking and exploitation. There is another layer to it.”
NCMEC knew survivors should not have to navigate this process alone.
Drawing on more than 40 years of experience protecting children and supporting survivors of exploitation, NCMEC created one of the largest survivor-support collaborations in its history. The Backpage Survivor Remission Network brought together legal, medical, technology and victim-service partners to help remove barriers and provide survivors with the guidance and support they needed throughout the remission process.
The goal was simple: give every eligible survivor the opportunity to be heard, file a claim and pursue the compensation available to them.
HANNAH BLAZEK | ASSOCIATE, MILBANK
“It is an overwhelming process for these survivors. It is having to rehash all of the trauma and having a legal advocate is, it's more than just a privilege. It's almost a necessity for these people. It's the difference between a well put together petition and often a petition that falls on the doorstep.”
What would normally take years to build came together in just seven months.
Under NCMEC’s leadership, more than 100 law firms, law schools, physicians, mental health professionals, technology partners, and volunteer advocates contributed their expertise pro bono. Together, they created a nationwide support system that connected survivors with free legal representation, medical assessments documenting the lifelong impacts of trafficking, and technological resources to help locate evidence that could strengthen their claims.
PARKER CRAGG | PRO BONO COUNSEL, VINSON AND ELKINS
“This was very difficult and kind of unavoidably retraumatizing, right? And the fact that these survivors had to again, kind of step back into such a dark chapter of their lives, the other side of that coin means that they bonded really closely with our attorneys.”
NCMEC also leveraged its trusted relationships with survivors and frontline organizations to ensure those eligible for remission learned about the opportunity before application deadlines expired. For many survivors, simply knowing someone was prepared to help made the difference between walking away and pursuing justice.
DR. BRETT MURPHY DAWSON | EDUCATION OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR MICAH’S PROMISE
“I told them…I can't promise you that this big number that we'll kind of come up with will be met by the (U.S.) Department of justice… But my prayer is that you'll be able to recoup some of the funds so it can help you get to a better space and healthier overtime.”
The results were extraordinary. More than 850 survivors received individualized legal guidance, hundreds completed comprehensive medical and behavioral health assessments, and technology partners helped uncover critical evidence from archived online advertisements that supported survivor petitions.
BRIA KING | CANARY
“Our goal with NCMEC and their network of pro bono attorneys was really to provide that ad as evidence…allowing them to use that in their petition and claim for restitution.”
But the impact extended far beyond paperwork.
“As a survivor of human trafficking, the Backage Remission signifies a powerful step towards healing.”
SURVIVOR
For survivors, the network represented validation, support, and the opportunity to reclaim a measure of control after years of exploitation. For the hundreds of volunteers who donated tens of thousands of hours, it demonstrated the power of collaboration to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.
JIM DUKUKOVICH | PARTNER, NELSON MULLINS, RILEY & SCARBOROUGH
“I would do this project every day for the rest of my career if I could, because this is something that I feel like I made a difference for a person who deserves it.”
“I just wanted you to know that it’s been so many years of not knowing I could get any help, and now that I know, I’m already 10 steps ahead… so thank you.”
SURVIVOR
The Backpage Survivor Remission Network stands as a powerful example of what is possible when organizations unite around a shared mission. By bringing together expertise across disciplines and keeping survivors at the center of every decision, NCMEC transformed a complicated legal process into a coordinated national effort focused on access, dignity, and healing.
While the remission process marks an important milestone, NCMEC’s commitment to survivors continues. Every day, we work alongside law enforcement, child protection professionals, and community partners to combat child exploitation, support recovery, and help ensure that children and survivors receive the services, advocacy, and hope they deserve.
NCMEC would also like to extend special thanks to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the U.S. Department of Justice for their leadership, partnership, and commitment to supporting survivors. Their collaboration and support helped make this unprecedented effort possible.
Learn more about our work and how you can support children and families at NCMEC.org.
LEGAL NETWORK
We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each law firm, law school, legal service, and individual attorney who assisted survivors with their petitions for Backpage Remission. Your assistance, support, and dedication was crucial and we cannot thank you enough for your time, energy, knowledge, and compassion.
And many other generous law firms
Program Partners
Our deepest appreciations go to our program partners. Without your assistance and support this project would not have been possible:
