“Sex workers have returned to or started working for pimps to find clients since they can no longer do so online. Abusive clients are re-emerging, taking advantage of the blacklists and online communities that have been destroyed.”— Amy Zimmerman, thedailybeast.com
“Even if there were instances of human trafficking on the site, law enforcement officials have said that taking down Backpage makes it harder for them to get tips and track down actual trafficking victims. Taking the site down, sex worker and rights advocates say, will only create more trafficking as…”— Samantha Cole, motherboard.vice.com
“Studies show that when sex workers have access to forums and advertising sites like Craigslist and Backpage, homicide rates go down.”— Samantha Cole, motherboard.vice.com
“Backpage acted as a lifeline for many sex workers, enabling them to vet their own clients and screen for bad dates. When it shuttered its adult services section in January 2017, sex workers spoke out about the necessity of online forums to their survival, too.”— Samantha Cole, motherboard.vice.com