RISE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SA
GOVERNANCE, POLICY, AND VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT
Registered Non-Profit Company: 2020/930270/08
NPO Registration: 259-457
PBO Registration: 930073173
CRITICAL LEGAL DISCLAIMER
RISE Against Domestic Violence SA does not provide medical, psychological, therapeutic, or legal services as an organisation. RISE facilitates survivor access to independent volunteers who deliver guidance and support.
This governance framework does not create any employment, partnership, agency, or attorney-client relationship with RISE as an entity. All services are delivered by individual volunteers.
RISE is not an emergency service. In situations of immediate danger, contact SAPS (10111) or the relevant emergency hotlines directly.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
RISE Against Domestic Violence SA provides guidance, emotional support, and information only. RISE does not provide legal representation, medical treatment, psychological therapy, psychiatric care, or emergency intervention services.
RISE and its volunteers accept no responsibility or liability for any decisions made by survivors based on guidance, information, or support provided, any outcomes, consequences, or results arising from a survivor's actions or decisions, any legal, financial, medical, psychological, or personal consequences experienced by survivors, any reliance placed on information or guidance provided by RISE or its volunteers, any advice, guidance, or support that a survivor chooses not to follow, any delays, errors, or omissions in the provision of support services, or any actions taken or not taken by external organisations, attorneys, courts, medical providers, or any other third parties.
Survivors are responsible for their own decisions. RISE provides support to help survivors make informed choices, but the final decision and responsibility for any action taken rests solely with the survivor.
RISE volunteers provide guidance in good faith and accept no personal liability for outcomes resulting from support provided. Volunteers are not acting as legal representatives, medical professionals, or therapists, and no professional relationship is created through RISE services.
By accessing RISE services, survivors acknowledge and accept this limitation of liability.
OUR MISSION
RISE Against Domestic Violence SA is a registered non-profit organisation operating without external funding. We deliver free, survivor-centred services including legal advice, emotional one-on-one support, support groups, and trauma-informed guidance across South Africa. Our work is grounded in integrity, clear ethical boundaries, and an uncompromising commitment to serving survivors.
RISE was founded on the belief that support must always be free, ethical, and provided without hidden agendas or external pressures.
We are volunteer-driven, built from lived survivor experience, professional expertise, and deep compassion. This allows us to respond with authenticity and purpose, ensuring survivor needs remain at the centre of everything we do.
From the beginning, our structure has been deliberately designed for transparency and consistency. RISE is led by its Founder, Zenda-Lee Williams, whose vision, personal journey of survival, and dedication continue to define the organisation's direction and mission.
We do not operate for profit, do not seek funding, and deliberately choose not to align with systems that could compromise our independence or dilute our survivor-first priorities.
Every service we offer is rooted in service, not status, guided solely by what is in the best interests of survivors. We make all decisions without room for personal, political, or external influence.
This founding structure and operational philosophy exist to safeguard the heart of RISE, protecting it from conflicts of interest, external agendas, and mission drift.
Survivors come first. Always.
As a registered NPC, NPO, and PBO, we uphold strict compliance with all relevant South African legislation, including the Companies Act, the Nonprofit Organisations Act, the Income Tax Act provisions for PBOs, and POPIA for data privacy. This ensures our work remains ethically sound and fully compliant with all regulatory standards.
RISE maintains full compliance with all regulatory filing obligations. Annual returns are submitted to CIPC, narrative reports are filed with the NPO Directorate, and tax compliance forms are submitted to SARS as required. RISE operates with transparency and accountability, ensuring all legal and regulatory requirements are met consistently and on time.
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
RISE is led by its Founder, Zenda-Lee Williams, who holds full and final decision-making authority.
SUCCESSION AND CONTINUITY PLANNING
In the event of the Founder's death or incapacity, leadership responsibility transfers to Ryan Williams (Co-Director), who has full access to all organisational systems, processes, and information necessary to ensure operational continuity.
Ryan Williams will work in collaboration with the senior management team, Sam Lehoko (Director), Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling), and Jay Govender (Head of Legal), to maintain RISE's survivor-focused mission, operational integrity, and commitment to the values upon which the organisation was founded.
This leadership continuity team is entrusted with ensuring RISE continues to serve survivors with the same dedication, ethical standards, and compassion that have defined the organisation since its inception. All decisions will remain aligned with RISE's mission, and survivors will continue to come first, always.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder)
Ryan Williams (Director)
Samantha Motshidisi Lehoko
Claudia Vanessa Hill
Debra Madeline Francis
Celeste Gillian Gangiah
MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS
Jay Govender (Head of Legal)
Francesca Pedrosa (Co-head Legal)
Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling)
Michaela van Wyk (Head of Intake)
VOLUNTEER CATEGORIES AND EXPECTATIONS
RISE recognises four categories of volunteers:
Legal Support: Attorneys, candidate attorneys, law students
Emotional One-on-One Support: Registered counsellors, interns from partner organisations, survivor support specialists
Intake Volunteers: Case assessors, referral support, administrative assistance
General Volunteers: Administrative and operational support (referred to as all volunteers)
All volunteers are expected to:
• Acknowledge their role is supportive
• Follow the chain of command and internal protocols
• Refer issues through correct channels
• Refrain from overriding decisions or altering processes without explicit written authorisation
• Operate strictly within defined structures and scope
• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism
WHAT WE DO
RISE provides:
• Free legal advice and guidance
• Trauma-informed emotional one-on-one support
• Support groups facilitated through WhatsApp
• Referrals to partner organisations and resources
• Education on survivor rights, legal processes, and healing pathways
• Compassionate, survivor-centred support at every stage of recovery
WHAT WE DON'T DO
RISE does NOT provide:
• Shelter or emergency accommodation (we refer where possible)
• Suicide intervention (we refer to equipped organisations)
• Therapy, psychiatric care, or mental health treatment
• Direct court representation (we offer legal guidance only)
• Interference in existing professional cases unless neglect or misconduct is reported
• Direct services to children (RISE provides services to adult survivors and consults with qualified social workers when child welfare concerns arise)
We support, guide, and empower. We do not take over.
WE DON'T FUNDRAISE
We remain unfunded to protect the integrity of our work.
We do not seek sponsorships, grants, or donations at this time. Growth is not our goal. Impact is.
No survivor or volunteer is expected to contribute financially.
What is expected is respect, accountability, and alignment with our mission.
SURVIVOR ACCESS AND INTAKE REQUIREMENTS
Survivors join RISE voluntarily to access free support services. While we strive to do the best we can for every person who reaches out, not every survivor is going to align with how we work, and that is okay.
By joining the online community and engaging with our volunteers, survivors agree to RISE's rules, policies, and service framework.
No survivor will be added to support groups or receive assistance without completing an online intake form. This requirement exists to protect both survivors and our community, ensuring we can provide appropriate support and maintain the safety and integrity of our services.
Access to RISE services is conditional on voluntary participation, informed consent, and adherence to our established processes.
MINOR SURVIVORS
Survivors under 18 years of age must provide the name and contact details of a parent or legal guardian who consents on their behalf. If the minor is a survivor of abuse by their parent or guardian, they may consent independently. This is assessed during the intake process.
COMMUNICATION, DECISION-MAKING, AND PUBLIC REPRESENTATION
All decisions that impact RISE's services, strategy, partnerships, funding, media engagement, social platforms, or public reputation must be approved directly by the Founder.
No volunteer, manager, or director may:
• Enter into funding discussions, fundraising efforts, sponsorship arrangements, or donor relationships of any kind
• Publish, share, or respond to content on behalf of RISE on any public platform (including social media comments, posts, or private group discussions) without prior written consent from the Founder
• Speak to the media, participate in interviews, or issue public statements representing RISE without explicit, documented approval (usually via email or WhatsApp)
• Commit the organisation to any collaboration, agreement, or new service offering
• Purchase advertising or pay for promotions under the RISE name without direct written instruction from the Founder
• Host or participate in workshops, community talks, or public events under the RISE brand without authorisation
Internal discussions must always remain respectful, solution-focused, and follow RISE's conflict resolution process. Any failure to uphold these standards, or attempts to circumvent leadership approval, will be treated as serious misconduct.
This framework protects the integrity, mission, and reputation of RISE, ensuring all decisions and public communications remain aligned with our survivor-first values and are guided solely by the Founder's oversight.
REPORTING CONCERNS AND SERVICE ISSUES
If a volunteer hears from another volunteer, survivor, or any other person that something is not working at RISE in any way or manner, it must be reported to management immediately so we can address it.
This reporting requirement applies to both volunteers and survivors.
Survivors must bring internal complaints about volunteers to management first. All complaints regarding volunteer conduct, service delivery, or any internal RISE matter must be directed to Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling) or Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder).
Concerns may include but are not limited to:
• Service delivery issues or gaps
• Volunteer conduct or professionalism concerns
• Communication breakdowns
• Process failures or inefficiencies
• Survivor dissatisfaction or complaints
• Ethical concerns or boundary violations
• Any matter that could impact survivor safety, service quality, or organisational integrity
Reports should be made to the relevant management team (Legal, Emotional Support, or Intake) or directly to the Founder if the matter is urgent or sensitive.
All reports will be treated with discretion and addressed promptly. This process exists to ensure accountability, continuous improvement, and the protection of everyone within the RISE community.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS
When conflicts, concerns, or disagreements arise:
Step 1: Direct Communication
Address the issue directly with the person involved in a respectful, solution-focused manner.
Step 2: Management Escalation
If direct communication does not resolve the issue, escalate to the relevant management team (legal or emotional support management, depending on the nature of the issue).
Step 3: Founder Review
If management intervention does not resolve the matter, or if the issue involves serious ethical concerns, it may be escalated to the Founder for final review and decision.
All communication throughout this process must remain professional, documented, and focused on survivor welfare and organisational integrity.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA MANAGEMENT
All survivor data is private and protected under POPIA.
No case information may be copied, shared, or stored privately outside of authorised platforms. This obligation continues indefinitely, even after volunteer involvement ends.
Breaches will lead to immediate removal and possible legal escalation.
Volunteers must maintain secure records, handle all communications with discretion, and ensure that survivor information is never discussed outside appropriate RISE channels.
INTERNAL INFORMATION SHARING AND AUTHORISATION
Survivor information, including but not limited to intake forms, WhatsApp conversations, case notes, voice notes, screenshots, documents, emails, and any other records or communications, may not be shared internally or externally without prior written authorisation.
This applies to all volunteers regardless of role, including intake volunteers, legal volunteers, counselling volunteers, and general volunteers.
No volunteer may share survivor information with any other RISE volunteer who is not directly assigned to assist that survivor, share survivor information with any person outside of RISE for any reason, forward, copy, screenshot, or redistribute any intake form, WhatsApp message, case note, or any other survivor record, discuss a survivor's matter with any volunteer, staff member, or external party who is not directly involved in the survivor's case, or share survivor information with family members, friends, colleagues, or any third party under any circumstances.
Authorisation for information sharing:
If information sharing is required for the purpose of assisting a survivor (for example, referral to a legal volunteer, counsellor, or external partner organisation), prior written authorisation must be obtained from one of the following:
Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder) at zen@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za
Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling) at lisa@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za
Jay Govender (Head of Legal) at jay@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za
Authorisation must be documented and retained. Verbal authorisation is not sufficient.
External referrals:
If a survivor is to be referred to an external organisation, partner, or service provider, the survivor's explicit consent must be obtained in addition to management authorisation. No survivor information may be shared externally without both survivor consent and management approval.
Breach of this policy:
Unauthorised sharing of survivor information, whether internal or external, is a serious breach of this governance framework and POPIA. It may result in immediate removal from RISE and may be reported to the Information Regulator or relevant professional bodies.
POPIA COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK
RISE is committed to full compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) to protect survivor privacy and data security.
Privacy Notice and Consent:
All survivors receive a clear privacy notice during the intake process explaining what information is collected, why it is collected, how it will be used, who has access to it, and how long it will be retained. Survivors provide informed, documented consent before accessing services. No survivor data is processed without explicit consent.
Data Processing and Purpose Limitation:
Survivor information is collected and used solely for the purpose of providing support services, maintaining case records, and ensuring service quality. Data is not used for any secondary purposes without additional consent. Only authorised volunteers directly involved in a survivor's case have access to their information.
RISE uses third party platforms including WhatsApp, Google, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for communication and record keeping. These platforms may store data outside South Africa. Survivors consent to this during the intake process.
Data Retention and Deletion:
Survivor records are retained for seven years following case closure or as legally required, whichever is longer. After this period, all personal information is securely deleted unless the survivor requests earlier deletion or extended retention. Survivors may request deletion of their information at any time, subject to legal obligations that may require retention.
Survivor Rights:
Survivors have the right to access their information held by RISE, request corrections to inaccurate data, and request deletion of their personal information. Survivors may withdraw consent and discontinue services at any time. To withdraw consent, survivors should email info@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za or zen@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za. Upon withdrawal, survivor information will be removed from active systems and the survivor will be removed from RISE support groups. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing conducted prior to withdrawal. Requests regarding data access, correction, or deletion should be directed to management or the Founder. Survivors may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at www.inforegulator.org.za if they believe their rights under POPIA have been violated.
Data Breach Protocol:
In the event of a data breach or unauthorised disclosure of survivor information, the incident must be reported immediately to the Founder and relevant management. RISE will assess the breach, notify affected survivors promptly, take immediate steps to contain and remedy the breach, and report to the Information Regulator if the breach meets the threshold for mandatory reporting under POPIA. All breaches are documented, and corrective measures are implemented to prevent recurrence.
Data Sharing and Third Parties:
Survivor information is only shared with external parties (such as partner organisations, legal clinics, or counselling services) with the survivor's explicit consent and for the purpose of providing appropriate referrals or support. All external data sharing is governed by confidentiality requirements and POPIA compliance standards.
Volunteer Obligations:
All volunteers are required to handle survivor data in accordance with POPIA, maintain confidentiality, use secure systems for communication and storage, and report any suspected data breaches immediately. Volunteers must complete POPIA awareness training and acknowledge their obligations during onboarding.
DIGITAL SPACE AND BOUNDARIES
RISE digital platforms (WhatsApp groups, emails, shared documents) exist solely for service delivery.
Volunteers may not:
• Market personal services or businesses without written consent
• Recruit for external causes
• Redirect clients to unauthorised platforms
• Discuss confidential cases outside the appropriate team
• Use RISE platforms for personal gain or private business development
CONSENT COMES FIRST
All support at RISE is based on informed consent. We do not pressure, diagnose, or direct. Survivors decide the pace and direction of their journey. Our job is to walk beside them, never ahead of them.
VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT
SECTION 1: CORE VALUES
• Survivor-Centred Approach
• Trauma-Informed Conduct
• Non-Judgemental Support
• Professional Boundaries
• Confidentiality under POPIA
• Respect for RISE processes
SECTION 2: ORGANISATIONAL POLICIES
• RISE operates without funding or compensation structures
• Volunteers may not propose or expect payment
• Volunteers may not publicly represent RISE without written authorisation
SECTION 3: CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICAL MANDATE
RISE operates under a clear, unwavering mandate to serve survivors. Our responsibility is to ensure access to guidance and support, regardless of prior external consultations a survivor may have had.
If a survivor is already formally represented by an attorney or legal team, RISE will step back from involvement in accordance with ethical best practice and to avoid duplication or interference. However, personal or professional connections that a volunteer may have to external attorneys, firms, or collaborators do not preclude RISE from assisting a survivor. Such private relationships are separate from the organisation's duty of service and must never influence the support RISE provides.
If a situation arises where your personal or professional relationship could create a perceived or actual conflict of interest, you are required to step back immediately and refer the matter to another internal legal volunteer or to the RISE legal management team for reassignment. This ensures all survivors receive unbiased support, and that RISE's operations remain transparent, ethical, and entirely survivor-focused.
Volunteers must act in a fair, respectful, and non-discriminatory manner, without bias or prejudice based on gender, race, culture, language, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.
No volunteer may tout, solicit, or advise for personal financial gain or private benefit through their role at RISE.
Acceptance of any financial remuneration, gift, or benefit relating to work done through RISE is strictly prohibited without the written authorisation of the Founder.
Legal volunteers are subject to additional mandatory recusal and data deletion obligations detailed in the Legal Volunteer Conflict of Interest and Mandatory Recusal section of this governance document. Failure to comply may result in removal and referral to the Legal Practice Council.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: SURVIVOR RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLOSURE
RISE places survivors in support groups and assigns volunteers based on the information provided in the intake form. Survivor honesty and transparency directly affect our ability to protect survivors, volunteers, the organisation, and other survivors in our community.
Conflict of interest may arise if:
A RISE legal volunteer previously represented the survivor, their former partner, or any party connected to their matter in a professional capacity.
A RISE legal volunteer currently works at, or has previously worked at, a law firm involved in the survivor's case or their former partner's case.
A RISE legal volunteer knows the survivor, their former partner, their family members, or any other party involved in the matter personally or professionally.
A RISE volunteer is a friend, acquaintance, colleague, or family member of the survivor's former partner, their attorney, or anyone connected to the matter.
The survivor's former partner, their attorney, their family member, or any person connected to the matter is a current or former RISE volunteer.
The survivor recognises the name of a RISE volunteer from any context related to their matter, their former partner, or their former partner's legal or personal network.
A RISE volunteer has previously provided services to the survivor's former partner through another organisation or in a private capacity.
The survivor is legally represented by an attorney and has not disclosed this on their intake form.
The survivor's former partner is legally represented by an attorney who has any connection to RISE or a RISE volunteer.
The survivor or their former partner have any pending or historical legal matter involving a RISE volunteer or their firm.
The survivor's current or former spouse, partner, or any party in the matter has any direct or indirect connection to a RISE volunteer, their workplace, or their personal network.
Any other circumstance exists that could compromise the integrity, confidentiality, or impartiality of the support provided.
Survivor responsibilities:
Survivors must disclose all relevant information honestly and completely on the intake form, including current legal representation. Survivors must notify RISE immediately if circumstances change after intake, including obtaining legal representation or becoming aware of any potential conflict. If a survivor recognises a conflict of interest at any point (for example, recognising a volunteer's name or discovering a connection), they must notify RISE management immediately.
If a survivor identifies a conflict of interest:
The survivor must notify RISE immediately by contacting Jay Govender (Head of Legal) at jay@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za or Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder) at zen@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za. The survivor must cease all engagement in the legal advice group until the matter has been reviewed and resolved. The survivor must not discuss the conflict with other group members or volunteers. The survivor must wait for confirmation from RISE management before resuming participation.
RISE's rights and process:
RISE reserves the right to contact survivors privately and remove them from any group or reassign their matter to a different volunteer if a conflict of interest is identified. Removal or reassignment due to conflict is not a rejection of the survivor. It is a protective measure for all parties. Group placement is subject to suitability, availability, and the information provided. RISE does not guarantee placement in any specific group or assignment to any specific volunteer.
RISE volunteers may also identify potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from a matter. This is a professional and ethical safeguard, not a rejection of the survivor.
Limitation of liability:
RISE accepts no responsibility or liability for any conflict of interest that arises due to incomplete, inaccurate, or withheld information on the intake form or at any point during engagement with RISE. If a survivor fails to disclose relevant information and a conflict occurs, RISE is not liable for any consequences, including but not limited to compromised legal matters, breached confidentiality, or damaged professional relationships.
SECTION 4: LEGAL VOLUNTEERS
• Must comply with the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 and LPC ethical rules
• May not solicit private clients through RISE
• Must complete accepted matters or communicate inability promptly
• All cases must go through RISE's intake system
• Must maintain professional boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest
LEGAL VOLUNTEER CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND MANDATORY RECUSAL
Legal volunteers carry a professional and ethical obligation to identify conflicts of interest and remove themselves immediately. This obligation exists independently of whether the survivor has disclosed relevant information. Legal volunteers cannot rely on survivor disclosure alone. They must actively assess every matter for potential conflicts.
A legal volunteer must immediately recuse themselves and notify legal management if:
The survivor is a current or former client of theirs in any capacity.
The survivor's former partner, spouse, or any opposing party is a current or former client of theirs in any capacity.
A colleague at their firm (current or former) represents or has represented the survivor, the opposing party, or any person connected to the matter.
A friend, family member, acquaintance, or personal contact of theirs represents or has represented the survivor, the opposing party, or any person connected to the matter.
They recognise the survivor, the opposing party, or any party connected to the matter from any professional or personal context.
They have any prior knowledge of the matter from any source, including media, social connections, or professional networks.
A family member, friend, colleague, or acquaintance of theirs is the survivor, the opposing party, a witness, or any other party connected to the matter.
Their firm (current or former) has any involvement in the matter, regardless of whether they personally worked on it.
They have provided legal advice, guidance, or representation to any party connected to the matter through any other organisation, pro bono service, or private capacity.
They have a personal, financial, or professional relationship with any attorney, advocate, or legal professional involved in the matter on any side.
They become aware of any circumstance that could compromise their impartiality, the integrity of RISE, or the interests of the survivor.
Any other situation arises where a reasonable person would question their ability to provide unbiased guidance.
Process for recusal:
The legal volunteer must cease all engagement with the survivor's matter immediately upon identifying a conflict.
The legal volunteer must not access, read, or respond to any further communications related to the matter.
The legal volunteer must notify Jay Govender (Head of Legal) at jay@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za or Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder) at zen@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za immediately, stating only that a conflict exists without disclosing confidential details of either party.
The legal volunteer must not discuss the conflict or seek information about the matter from any other RISE volunteer, group member, survivor, or any other person. Communication regarding the conflict is limited strictly to Jay Govender or Zenda-Lee Williams.
The legal volunteer must remove themselves from the RISE legal advice group for the duration of the conflict.
The legal volunteer must immediately and permanently delete all information relating to the survivor's matter from all personal devices, including but not limited to phones, computers, tablets, cloud storage, email accounts, messaging applications, and any other digital or physical storage. No copies may be retained in any format.
The legal volunteer must confirm in writing to Jay Govender or Zenda-Lee Williams that all survivor information has been deleted from their devices.
This data deletion requirement exists to ensure RISE's compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which requires that personal information is only processed by authorised persons for authorised purposes.
Return to RISE legal group:
The legal volunteer may request to rejoin the RISE legal advice group once the matter is concluded, the conflict no longer exists, and legal management has confirmed it is appropriate to return.
Reinstatement is not automatic. Legal management will assess whether the volunteer may return without risk to survivors, other volunteers, or the organisation.
Failure to recuse or comply with data deletion requirements:
Failure to identify and act on a conflict of interest is a serious breach of this Code of Conduct and may result in immediate removal from RISE.
Failure to delete survivor information as required, or failure to confirm deletion in writing, is a serious breach and may result in immediate removal from RISE.
Depending on the nature and consequences of the breach, the matter may be reported to the Legal Practice Council and may constitute a breach of POPIA, which could result in regulatory action by the Information Regulator.
RISE accepts no liability for any consequences arising from a legal volunteer's failure to recuse themselves appropriately or failure to comply with data deletion requirements.
Volunteer acknowledgement:
By serving as a legal volunteer with RISE, you confirm that you understand and accept these conflict of interest, recusal, and data deletion obligations. You acknowledge that these obligations are ongoing and apply to every matter you encounter through RISE.
SECTION 5: EMOTIONAL ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
• Must remain registered and adhere to professional board ethics
• RISE provides trauma-informed support, not clinical treatment
• Maintain confidentiality and secure records
• Uphold professional distance and avoid dependent dynamics
• Operate within scope of practice and refer when necessary
Counselling interns operate under supervision as part of their professional training. Survivors are informed of this during intake and consent to receiving services from an intern under supervision.
SECTION 6: INTAKE VOLUNTEERS
• Document survivor information factually and accurately
• Provide calm, respectful first responses
• Refer legal or emotional one-on-one support queries appropriately
• Handle intake promptly and maintain confidentiality
• Never overstep role by providing advice outside scope
SECTION 7: GENERAL VOLUNTEERS AND MANAGEMENT
• Leadership must uphold the highest standards of professionalism
• Volunteers must operate strictly within defined structures and may not overstep authority or create confusion around roles
• Manipulation, divisive conduct, or any behaviour undermining team cohesion will not be tolerated
• All volunteers are accountable to the mission and to survivor welfare
VIOLATIONS AND REMOVAL
Breaches of this Code of Conduct, including breaches of confidentiality, ethical standards, or organisational policies, may result in immediate termination of volunteer service.
Serious matters may be referred to the Legal Practice Council, relevant professional boards for emotional support practitioners, academic institutions, or other relevant regulatory bodies.
Continued involvement is conditional on adherence to this code.
Examples of serious misconduct include but are not limited to:
• Breaching survivor confidentiality
• Soliciting private clients through RISE (touting)
• Accepting unauthorised payment or gifts
• Misrepresenting RISE publicly without authorisation
• Engaging in discriminatory or abusive behaviour
• Undermining organisational leadership or spreading division
• Operating outside professional scope or ethical guidelines
REPORTING MISCONDUCT OR ETHICAL CONCERNS
Serious concerns involving ethical breaches, volunteer behaviour, or boundary violations may be reported directly and confidentially to:
zen@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za
These reports are handled by the Founder or delegated management with discretion.
Survivors may also use this channel to report concerns about volunteer conduct.
POLICY REVIEW AND AMENDMENT
This unified organisational policy, structure, and code of conduct will be reviewed regularly and may be amended at the discretion of the Founder and Directors to ensure it remains aligned with best practice, applicable laws, and the evolving needs of RISE and the survivors we serve.
VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING AND OFFBOARDING
Onboarding Process:
• All new volunteers must review and acknowledge this governance document
• Volunteers receive role-specific training and orientation from management teams
• Access to RISE platforms is granted only after acknowledgment of policies
• Volunteers are assigned to appropriate teams based on qualifications and availability
Offboarding Process:
• Volunteers may resign at any time by notifying their management team and the Founder
• Volunteers who are removed for policy violations will be notified in writing
• All access to RISE platforms and survivor data will be revoked immediately upon departure
• Confidentiality obligations continue indefinitely after departure
FINAL CLAUSE: NON-NEGOTIABLE AGREEMENT
By continuing to serve as a volunteer with RISE, you fully accept and agree to abide by this unified governance framework, including all internal policies, structural boundaries, and codes of conduct.
This agreement is non-negotiable. Volunteers who are unwilling or unable to comply are encouraged to respectfully withdraw from the organisation at any time.
By remaining with RISE, you acknowledge your responsibility to uphold these standards and to act always in a manner that protects the safety, dignity, and best interests of survivors, the integrity of your own professional standing, and the ethical reputation of RISE.
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE
To all our incredible volunteers:
Thank you for the powerful work you do, for the dedication you show, and for the countless ways you stand beside survivors when it matters most. You may never fully realise just how deeply your compassion, time, and care impact the lives of those we serve.
Please know that you are valued, appreciated, and truly essential to the mission and heart of RISE. We could not do this without you.
With deepest appreciation and respect,
The RISE Team