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.

LEGAL SERVICES DISCLAIMER

No Attorney-Client Privilege: Interaction with RISE legal volunteers does not create attorney-client privilege. RISE volunteers provide generic legal guidance and information only. No formal attorney-client relationship is established through RISE support services. Communications through RISE platforms are not protected by legal professional privilege in the same manner as communications with a privately retained attorney.

Nature of Legal Support: RISE legal volunteers offer accurate, generic legal advice based on South African law. This advice is educational and supportive in nature. It is not formal legal representation.

Free Services: All RISE legal support is provided free of charge. RISE does everything reasonably possible to ensure survivors receive quality support without cost.

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.

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, whose vision, personal journey of survival, and dedication continue to define the organisation's direction and mission and 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

Samantha Motshidisi Lehoko

Claudia Vanessa Hill

Debra Madeline Francis

Celeste Gillian Gangiah

MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS

Jay Govender (Head of Legal)

Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling)

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), and 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 authorisation, operate strictly within defined structures and scope, and 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, and 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, or 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 without prior written consent from the Founder, speak to the media, participate in interviews, or issue public statements representing RISE without explicit, documented approval, 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, or 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, or 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.

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.

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.

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 survivor record, discuss a survivor's matter with any person 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, prior written authorisation must be obtained from Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder), Lisa Whitford (Head of Counselling), or Jay Govender (Head of Legal). 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. 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 information is retained for 3 years from last contact. After this period, all personal information is securely deleted. Survivors may request earlier deletion at any time.

Volunteer Data Handling: Volunteers must delete all survivor information from their personal devices once they have completed assisting a survivor. Volunteers do not retain survivor data beyond active assistance.

Survivor Rights: Survivors have the right to access their information held by RISE, request corrections to inaccurate data, request deletion of their personal information, and withdraw consent at any time. To withdraw consent, survivors should email info@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za or zen@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za. 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 required under POPIA. All breaches are documented and corrective measures implemented.

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, or 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.

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 Volunteers 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, a RISE legal volunteer currently works at or has previously worked at a law firm involved in the survivor's case, a RISE legal volunteer knows the survivor or any party involved in the matter personally or professionally, a RISE volunteer is connected to the survivor's former partner or their attorney, the survivor's former partner or their attorney is a current or former RISE volunteer, the survivor recognises the name of a RISE volunteer from any context related to their matter, or any other circumstance exists that could compromise integrity, confidentiality, or impartiality.

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. If a survivor identifies a conflict of interest at any point, they must notify RISE management immediately.

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 a protective measure for all parties.

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.

SECTION 4: LEGAL VOLUNTEERS

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, ensure all cases go through RISE's intake system, and maintain professional boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest.

LEGAL VOLUNTEER ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

No Attorney-Client Privilege: RISE legal volunteers provide generic legal guidance only. No attorney-client relationship or legal professional privilege is created through RISE services. Survivors are informed of this during intake. This does not diminish the accuracy or value of the guidance provided. It clarifies the nature of the relationship.

Information Protection: RISE works with the information survivors voluntarily share with us. Legal volunteers must protect this information in accordance with POPIA. While attorney-client privilege does not apply, survivor data remains protected under data protection law and RISE confidentiality requirements.

No Touting: Section 18.22 of the Legal Practice Council Code of Conduct prohibits touting for professional work. Legal volunteers must never use RISE platforms, access to survivors, or their volunteer role to solicit private legal work. This includes marketing personal legal services to survivors, distributing business cards or promotional materials through RISE channels, suggesting survivors should engage them privately, offering preferential private services to RISE survivors, or using survivor contact information for any purpose outside RISE activities. Any volunteer found to be soliciting private work through RISE will be immediately removed and may be reported to the Legal Practice Council.

Free Services Commitment: RISE makes clear to all survivors and volunteers that all RISE support services are provided free of charge. RISE does everything reasonably possible to ensure survivors receive quality support without cost. We trust that our legal volunteers will protect this mission.

PRIVATE MANDATE SEPARATION

Independent Decision: Should a survivor and a legal volunteer, for whatever reason, decide independently to enter into a private legal mandate, this arrangement is entirely separate from RISE. RISE does not facilitate, arrange, recommend, or endorse private legal mandates between survivors and legal volunteers. If a survivor independently chooses to engage a RISE volunteer as their private legal representative outside of RISE, and if the legal volunteer independently chooses to accept such a mandate, this is their personal decision. RISE has no involvement in, control over, or responsibility for any such private arrangement.

Immediate Notification Requirement: Should any private mandate be entered into between a RISE legal volunteer and a survivor for any matter whatsoever, the legal volunteer must immediately notify RISE Legal Management (Jay Govender or Zenda-Lee Williams). Upon notification, RISE will remove the survivor from the RISE legal support group to avoid any conflict of interest or confusion between pro bono RISE support and private legal representation. The survivor may continue to receive counselling and emotional support through RISE if they wish.

RISE Carries No Liability: RISE expressly disclaims any liability, responsibility, or obligation arising from any private legal mandate between a volunteer and survivor. Any disputes, complaints, fee arrangements, professional conduct issues, or outcomes relating to private mandates are matters between the legal practitioner and their private client. RISE will not mediate, adjudicate, or become involved in any conflict arising from a private mandate. Any conflict arising from a private mandate is not for RISE to carry.

Professional Obligations Remain: Legal volunteers who enter into private mandates remain bound by all applicable professional obligations under the Legal Practice Act and Legal Practice Council Code of Conduct.

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 or opposing party is a current or former client of theirs, a colleague at their firm represents any party connected to the matter, they recognise any party from any professional or personal context, they have any prior knowledge of the matter, a family member, friend, or colleague is connected to the matter, their firm has any involvement in the matter, they have provided legal advice to any party through any other organisation or private capacity, they have a relationship with any legal professional involved in the matter, or any 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) or Zenda-Lee Williams (Founder) immediately. The legal volunteer must not discuss the conflict with any other person. The legal volunteer must remove themselves from the RISE legal advice group for the duration of the conflict.

LEGAL VOLUNTEER DATA DELETION REQUIREMENTS

Upon Completion of Assistance: Legal volunteers must delete all survivor information from their personal devices once they have completed assisting a survivor. Volunteers do not retain survivor data beyond active assistance.

Upon Recusal: Legal volunteers who recuse due to conflict of interest must immediately and permanently delete all information relating to the survivor's matter from all personal devices, including 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.

Upon Leaving RISE: When a legal volunteer leaves RISE for any reason (resignation, removal, or completion of service), they must immediately and permanently delete all survivor information in their possession. All access to RISE platforms and survivor data will be revoked immediately upon departure. The volunteer must confirm deletion in writing to management.

Ongoing Confidentiality: The obligation to maintain confidentiality of survivor information continues indefinitely after departure from RISE. Former volunteers must never disclose survivor information to any third party, including other legal practitioners. They must never discuss survivor cases in any forum, use survivor information for any personal or professional purpose, or contact survivors directly outside of RISE authorised channels.

Failure to Comply: 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.

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, failing to delete survivor data as required, and entering into private mandates without notifying RISE.

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. Legal volunteers must delete all survivor information and confirm deletion in writing. 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

Last Updated: 31 March 2026