Backpage out of the Shadows

Human trafficking is a problem that we cannot and must not ignore.

The U.S. Senate’s Subcommittee on Investigations recently reported on the serious problem of online sex trafficking with a focus on Backpage.com, the leading online marketplace for commercial sex.  This worldwide website is valued at more than a half-billion dollars.  These earnings should not be surprising given that human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, second only to the trafficking of illegal drugs.  Once a dealer sells their drugs, more must be manufactured before additional profit can be made. A person can be trafficked over and over with little downtime, making it an attractive investment for unscrupulous people.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 73% of all child trafficking reports received from the public note connections to Backpage.com.  Backpage never denied that the site has been used for criminal activity, include the sale of children for sex.  The company says that it is a mere “host” of content created by others and therefore immune from liability. The Senate Subcommittee forced Backpage to produce documents about its screening process as they reported its intent was to protect against criminal activity.  The review of the documents and interviews with employees provided a clear understanding of just what Backpage was doing, and screening out criminal activity was not it.

In fact, Backpage has been caught bragging about not screening posts and has been found to have utilized a filter that actually striped terms that could indicate criminality.  Examples of words that, in fact, have been edited include “Lolita,” “teenage,” “rape,” “young,” “teen,” and “school girl.”  According to the Senate Subcommittee Report, “Backpage knows that it facilitates prostitution and child sex trafficking”.

Since receiving negative national attention for its connections to sex trafficking, Backpage has attempted to reduce its exposure.  In 2014 Backpage was sold to a foreign company.  Despite the change in hands, money is still being made.  The original owners, James Larkin, Michael Lacey, and Carl Ferrer, did not sever all ties following the sale, rather, they continue to receive large profit distributions as the market for what Backpage sells remains lucrative.

The Susquehanna Valley is not immune to this problem.  We must recognize that people everywhere, even in our own communities, can buy the services of children. The passing of PA’s Human Trafficking Law, Act 105, has clearly stated the purchasing of minors for sex is illegal.  Through the PA Alliance to Address Human Trafficking on Route 15 (PAATH15), our communities have made measurable progress in recognizing human trafficking as a true crisis.  Through the efforts of trained advocates and volunteers, we have begun ensuring prevention, education, and change are occurring. Over 85 victims of sex and labor trafficking have been identified and provided services in the last two years in the Susquehanna Valley.  During that time, Transitions has provided services to 9 victims, trained 825 people and adopted protocols for first responders in Union and Snyder Counties. Transitions is committed to recognizing trafficking for what it is and provide the life-saving services for victims and survivors who need them.