Legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) would permanently authorize legislation that aims to combat domestic violence by encouraging lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to survivors who can’t afford them.
The Pro Bono Work to Empower and Represent (POWER) Act, S. 3115, would permanently extend the authorization for the POWER Act, which was signed into law in 2018 but will expire after 2022. U.S. Sens. Murkowski and Capito introduced the bill last week with sponsor U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
The POWER Act requires that each year, the chief judge of each judicial district across the country hold at least one event promoting pro bono legal services to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The bill also mandates that an event be held in areas with high numbers of Native Americans and Alaska Natives every two years.
Last year, there were 75 pro bono legal summits held across the nation attended by more than 43,000 attorneys, thanks to the POWER Act, according to the lawmakers.
Noting data from the Alaska Victimization Survey that estimates that 57.7 percent of Alaska women have experienced intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence, Sen. Murkowski said, “We need a comprehensive approach to address this crisis.”
“That is why I’m proud to join Senator Sullivan as an original cosponsor of the POWER Act, which will provide greater access to legal services for survivors who otherwise might not be able to afford them,” Sen. Murkowski said.
The lawmakers underscored the importance of abuse victims being able to access representation from an attorney. They cited one study that found 83 percent of victims represented by an attorney were able to obtain a protective order compared to just 32 percent of victims without an attorney.
“It’s critical we support survivors of domestic violence and assault,” Sen. Capito said. “This includes encouraging lawyers to offer pro bono work that can help victims gain access to critical legal services and protect them in the future. The POWER Act is commonsense legislation to combat domestic violence and sexual assault, and would make a tremendous difference in promoting safety for survivors across West Virginia.”