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.

OUR MISSION

RISE Against Domestic Violence SA is a registered non-profit organization operating without external funding.

We deliver free, survivor-centred services including legal advice, counselling, 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.

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

RISE is led by its Founder, Zenda-Lee Williams, who holds full and final decision-making authority.

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)

Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling)

Michaela van Wyk (Head of Intake)

Francesca Pedrosa (Co-head Legal)

VOLUNTEER CATEGORIES AND EXPECTATIONS

RISE recognises four categories of volunteers:

Legal Support:

Attorneys, candidate attorneys, law students

Counselling Support:

Registered counsellors, interns from partner organisations, survivor support specialists

Intake Volunteers:

Case assessors, referral support, administrative assistance

General Volunteers:

Administrative and operational support

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 authorization

• 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 counselling 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 organizations)

• 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

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.

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 organization 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.

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 counselling 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 organizational 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 authorized 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.

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 unauthorized 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-Centered 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 authorization

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.

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

SECTION 5: COUNSELLING 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

SECTION 6: INTAKE VOLUNTEERS

• Document survivor information factually and accurately

• Provide calm, respectful first responses

• Refer legal or counselling 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 organizational policies, may result in immediate termination of volunteer service.

Serious matters may be referred to the Legal Practice Council, counselling boards, 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

• Accepting unauthorized payment or gifts

• Misrepresenting RISE publicly without authorization

• Engaging in discriminatory or abusive behaviour

• Undermining organizational 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 organization 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 realize 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,

Zenda-Lee Williams