Survivors who were trafficked through Backpage advertisements from approximately 2013 to 2018 may qualify to file a lawsuit and pursue justice and financial compensation with the help of our compassionate, empathetic, trauma-informed sex trafficking lawyers.
Salesforce sex trafficking lawsuits allege that Salesforce knew or should have known that Backpage was facilitating sex trafficking, yet continued to provide Backpage with software and database tools, helping Backpage facilitate sex trafficking by doing so.
Key Takeaways
- Salesforce allegedly provided cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and customized database tools from approximately 2013 to 2018. Backpage was under active investigation for facilitating sex trafficking during this time.
- Federal courts have ruled that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not protect Salesforce from civil liability through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)
- Survivors who were trafficked through Backpage may have valid civil claims under 18 U.S.C. § 1595. This statute allows survivors to sue those who knowingly benefit from participation in sex trafficking ventures.
- This litigation is being kept active by new individual complaints being filed in 2026, including complaints filed in California’s Central District.
Why Backpage Trafficking Victims Trust Our Lawyers
- While some sex trafficking firms accept all the cases they possibly can without caring if they have the staff to handle them all, our responsive legal team is fully staffed so we can provide survivors with 24/7 availability, reliable communication and frequent case updates.
- We have been trusted since 1990 to recover justice and compensation for trafficking survivors and other injury victims.
- We offer free consultations and will charge you no legal fee until we win your case as our only fee is a percentage of any compensation recovered.
- Our high-stakes litigation team has the experience handling large trafficking cases and the comprehensive resources to take on companies like Salesforce in court and win.
- While many trafficking firms are eager to settle cases cheaply for a quick buck, our trial-ready representation is ready and willing to fight for you in court if a fair settlement can’t be agreed upon out of court.
- We and our legal teams have recovered over $750 million for trafficking survivors and other injury victims.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on each case’s specific facts.
Call our experienced sex trafficking lawyers today for a FREE, confidential consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was trafficked through Backpage from approximately 2013 to 2018.
Table of Contents
- What Was Salesforce’s Role in Backpage Sex Trafficking?
- Who Can Sue Salesforce for Backpage Trafficking?
- What Have Courts Ruled in the Salesforce Backpage Cases?
- What Compensation Can Backpage Trafficking Survivors Recover Through a Salesforce Backpage Lawsuit?
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Salesforce Trafficking Claim?
- When to Contact a Sex Trafficking Attorney
- FAQs
What Was Salesforce’s Role in Backpage Sex Trafficking?
Salesforce allegedly provided Backpage with cloud-based CRM software and customized database tools, beginning around 2013. This helped Backpage grow an advertiser base while it was actively facilitating sex trafficking.
Backpage was a classified advertising platform. Its adult services section was the largest marketplace in the United States for sex trafficking ads.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) seized Backpage in 2018. Backpage subsequently pleaded guilty to human trafficking.
A 2017 U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report found that Backpage knowingly facilitated prostitution and the sex trafficking of children while concealing evidence of criminal conduct.
Plaintiffs allege in multiple lawsuits that Salesforce designed and implemented a heavily customized enterprise database tailored to Backpage’s operations.
It is alleged that Salesforce’s tools helped Backpage market to new pimps, johns and traffickers on three continents.
Salesforce continued accepting money from Backpage even while Backpage faced public scrutiny and federal investigation, according to complaints in A.B. v. Salesforce (5th Cir. 2024).
The relationship between Salesforce and Backpage allegedly lasted until Backpage was seized in 2018.
Who Can Sue Salesforce for Backpage Trafficking?
Survivors who were trafficked through Backpage advertisements from approximately 2013 to 2018 may have a valid civil claim under 18 U.S.C. § 1595.
Potential claimants include:
- Adults and minors who were trafficked through ads posted on Backpage from approximately 2013 to 2018
- Family members of deceased victims
Survivors do not have to have reported trafficking to law enforcement or have a prior criminal case to pursue a civil claim.
Documentation which can support your claim includes:
- Backpage ad records
- Law enforcement or case records
- Medical or psychological treatment records
- Communications with traffickers
What Have Courts Ruled in the Salesforce Backpage Cases?
Multiple federal circuit courts have ruled that Salesforce cannot use Section 230 to block sex trafficking claims.
FOSTA-SESTA stripped Section 230 immunity from civil claims that are brought under federal sex trafficking laws. Courts have since found that claims which target Salesforce providing tools to Backpage fall outside of Section 230’s protections.
The Fifth Circuit, in A.B. v. Salesforce, upheld a denial of summary judgment for Salesforce, remanding for further proceedings.
The Seventh Circuit, in G.G. v. Salesforce, held that the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that Salesforce knew or should have known that Backpage was facilitating trafficking, allowing TVPA claims to proceed.
What Compensation Can Backpage Trafficking Survivors Recover Through a Salesforce Backpage Lawsuit?
The value of your case will depend on:
- The severity and duration of trafficking
- Documented psychological harm
- Evidence strength
- Other case-specific factors
Survivors may be able to recover financial compensation for:
Medical Bills
Survivors who were physically injured while they were trafficked may be able to recover compensation for all past and future medical bills related to their injuries.
This may include compensation for things such as ER visits, doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medical testing and more.
Mental Healthcare Costs
Compensation may be available for the costs to treat emotional and psychological injuries such as anxiety, PTSD and depression.
Lost Wages
Compensation may be available for wages survivors were unable to earn because of trafficking and its physical, psychological, or emotional effects.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Compensation may be available for loss or reduction of earning capacity resulting from a disability caused by trafficking.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation may be available for physical pain, emotional distress and mental suffering related to trafficking.
Wrongful Death
Families of loved ones who died due to trafficking may seek financial compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills incurred by a loved one prior to passing
- Pain and suffering endured by a loved one prior to passing
- The loss of their loved one’s household services, spousal benefits, companionship, income and love
Punitive Damages
Survivors may be able to recover punitive damages intended to punish Salesforce for wanton, willful, reckless or intentional conduct, such as providing Backpage with services while knowing Backpage was facilitating trafficking.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Salesforce Trafficking Claim?
Survivors of trafficking which occurred when they were adults typically have 10 years from the last time they were trafficked to file a lawsuit.
Survivors of trafficking which occurred when they were children do not have a time limit to file a lawsuit as long as they were under 28 years old in 2022.
Those whose trafficking claims have expired might still qualify to file a sexual abuse lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations for sexual assault.
Survivors of sexual assault which happened when they were adults can file lawsuits up to ten years following the abuse, or within three years of discovering that an illness or injury was caused by the abuse, whichever comes later.
Survivors of sexual assault which happened when they were children do not have a time limit to file a lawsuit if the assault happened after or on January 1, 2024. If the assault happened before January 1, 2024, they have until age 40 or within five years of discovering that psychological harm was caused by the abuse, whichever comes later, to file a lawsuit.
We have been handling sex trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual assault cases since 1990. We can help you if you have been trafficked or abused. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. We can let you know if you qualify to file a lawsuit.
When to Contact a Sex Trafficking Attorney
Call our trauma-informed, compassionate, empathetic team today for a FREE, confidential consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was trafficked via Backpage from approximately 2013 to 2018.
We can help you recover justice and compensation and we will charge you no legal fee until we win your case.
Call us today.
FAQs
Can Salesforce Still Face Liability Even Though Backpage Is Shut Down?
Yes.
Salesforce’s civil liability under the TVPA is based upon its conduct during its contract with Backpage rather than on the operation of Backpage.
Survivors’ claims against Salesforce were not extinguished when Backpage was seized in 2018.
Can I Sue Salesforce If I Already Filed a DOJ Remission Petition?
A lawsuit against Salesforce and a DOJ remission petition are separate legal processes.
The DOJ’s $215 million Backpage remission program distributed forfeited government assets to survivors, while a civil lawsuit against Salesforce will seek damages from Salesforce directly.
Participating in one does not bar participation in the other. However, an attorney should review how any recovery could affect your specific situation.
What If I Don’t Have Documentation of My Trafficking or the Backpage Ads?
Documentation helps, but it is not always required to file a lawsuit.
An attorney can help you locate records from sources like law enforcement and healthcare providers through legal discovery.
An absence of records does not mean a claim cannot be pursued.
