POWER Act
The Pro Bono Work to Empower and Represent (POWER) Act promotes efforts across the country to empower survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through pro bono legal services. The POWER Act is a federal law that promotes pro bono legal services as a critical way to empower survivors of sex-based violence. The POWER Act requires that:
- The Chief District Court Judge for each federal judicial district lead at least one public event a year promoting pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
- POWER Act events be held in partnership with a State, local, Tribal, or territorial domestic violence service provider or coalition and a State or local volunteer lawyer project; and
- Federal judicial districts encompassing an Indian Tribe or Tribal organizations lead at least one POWER Act event every two years in partnership with an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) serves as the collective voice promoting the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault in South Carolina. It provides extensive resources that may be accessed at : https://www.sccadvasa.org/get-help/.
2025 Virtual POWER Act Event – June 24th @ 1:00 PM (EDT)
The US District Court, District of South Carolina invites you to attend the 2025 Virtual POWER Act Event presented by the Northern District of New York and co-sponsored by the District of South Carolina. This event will highlight the impact of pro bono representation and advocacy on the lives of victims and survivors of violence and abuse.
This program has been approved by the South Carolina Commission on CLE for one hour of credit. To receive CLE credit, please email the code word provided during the presentation to Dina_Stockwell@scd.uscourts.gov at the conclusion of the program.