Legal Program

SC Legal Assistance to Victims Program & Other Legal Services

Understanding systems and legal options can be critical to survivors achieving their desired outcomes. Fortunately, certain legal services are available to survivors at no cost throughout the state. There are also many non-profit and private organizations that provide these services.

Addressing Victim / Survivor Needs

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking/harassment often have legal questions after the assault or event occurred. In domestic violence cases, survivors may have questions related to victim rights, protective orders, custody, or divorce. Sexual Assault survivors may have questions about any number of issues including privacy, safety, employment, education/Title IX proceedings, victim rights, immigration concerns, and/or other civil remedies.  Interested in joining our team of pro bono and contract attorneys? Click here to complete our interest form.

SCCADVASA’s Legal Team & Services 

Three main ways SCCADVASA can assist our Member Organizations:

1. Subpoena/Record Request Defense – Complete our contact form selecting “Legal Assistance” from the dropdown
2. Technical Assistance – SCCADVASA attorneys can answer general legal questions or help an advocate refer a survivor to the appropriate legal organization for assistance. Complete our contact form selecting “Legal Assistance” from the dropdown
3. Legal Assistance to Victims Program – SCCADVASA works with attorneys throughout the state who provide legal assistance to victims on a variety of legal issues, frequently at no cost to the victim. To refer a case to SCCADVASA for placement with one of our contract attorneys, Member Organizations can begin by filling out our Conflict Check Form. Members can contact us to request access to this form. After SCCADVASA confirms there is no conflict, we will reach out to the advocate for more information about the case. Please remember that victims should not be referred to SCCADVASA directly. The contract attorney referral program must be initiated by a Member Organization advocate or authorized community partner.

Other Legal Assistance Programs in South Carolina

• South Carolina Legal Services (no-cost services) – sclegal.org: SCLS can assist survivors with orders of protection, divorce based on physical abuse, and immigration concerns, among other matters. 
• South Carolina Victim Assistance Network, Legal Department (no-cost services)- scvanlegal.org: SCVAN’s legal team can assist with Title IX matters, victim rights consultations, general consultations, and immigration matters, among other legal concerns. 
• Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services (low-cost services) – charitiessc.org: Catholic Charities focuses on assisting with immigration concerns and offers services at low cost to survivors. If a member organization advocate feels that a survivor cannot afford the cost of these services, contact SCCADAVASA to help cover the fees. 

Human Trafficking Specific Referral Sources 

• Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services (no cost services) – charlestonprobono.org: Charleston Pro Bono has a dedicated attorney who specifically serves the legal needs of human trafficking survivors.

Pro Bono and Contract Attorney Interest Form

Name *

First

Last

Law Firm or Organization *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

— Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Phone *

Email *

State Bar License(s)

Authorized to Practice in US District Court of SC *YesNo

Section Divider

I would like to help in the following areas

• Join the SC Victim Privacy Protection Project*
• Mentor to staff or pro bono attorneys at domestic violence and sexual assault agencies
• Speak at an outreach or educational event
• Serve as a Board member or local champion for my local domestic violence or sexual assault agency
• Other

*provide direct legal representation to one of South Carolina’s 22 domestic violence and sexual assault agencies in responding to subpoenas or other third-party requests for confidential victim records.

If you answered yes to number 2, please indicate the area(s) of law in which you would like to be a mentor below.

If you answered yes to number 3, please indicate which topics below.

If you answered yes to number 4 and have a preferred agency, please indicate the preferred agency below.

If you answered yes to number 5, please elaborate below.

Services to Victims of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault in the following areas of law:

• Victim’s rights in criminal proceeding against perpetrator
• Defense of defamation claim by perpetrator
• Tort claim against perpetrator
• Public benefits
• Housing or Property
• Magistrate’s Court stalking & harassment restraining order
• Common Pleas – Permanent Restraining Order
• Immigration – victim-based visa applications
• Immigration – deportation defense
• Family Court – domestic violence order of protection
• Family Court – Separation, divorce, custody & child support
• Family Court – DSS Abuse & Neglect proceedings, including serving as attorney for child victim
• Family Court – Guardian ad Litem
• Family Court – Mediator
• Education – K-12
• Education – Higher Education, including Title IX proceedings
• Employment law – unemployment, Title VII & other non-discrimination rights
• ADA/Accessibility Rights
• Probate
• Privacy protection, Motions to Quash Subpoenas for personal or confidential records of victim in criminal or third-party civil proceedings
• Privacy Protection including responding to subpoenas for victim records
• Other

If other, please elaborate.

I have a special interest or expertise in assisting victims in the following communities with specialized needs:

• Immigrants
• Limited English proficient – deaf, blind & hard of hearing
• Limited English proficient – foreign language speakers
• People with disabilities
• LGBTQ
• Elderly
• Native Americans
• Veterans or active military

List the South Carolina counties in which you are willing to volunteer:

I am interested in being connected to the following SCCADVASA Partners to learn more about their pro bono and contract attorney opportunities to serve victims of domestic violence & sexual assault:

• Catholic Charities Immigration Services (Mt. Pleasant, Greenville, Hilton Head)
• Charleston Legal Access
• Lowcountry Legal Volunteers
• SC Bar Pro Bono Program
• SC Legal Services
• SC Victim Assistance Network
• Indigenous Women’s Alliance of South Carolina

Submit