PRIVACY POLICY
Introduction
Rise Against Domestic Violence SA NPC (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of individuals who use our services.
This Privacy Policy outlines how we comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in South Africa and international data privacy standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable and protection of the data of clients, volunteers, employees, and other stakeholders, especially as it relates to sensitive matters surrounding but not limited to domestic violence and/or harassment.
Information We Collect
We may collect personal information, including but not limited to:
Personal Identifiers: Name, contact information (phone number, email, address) Identity number etc.
Sensitive Data: Sensitive information relating to incidents of domestic violence, health information, details of family members, legal documentation and other sensitive details necessary to provide our services.
Demographic information: Age, Gender and other relevant non-identifying information.
Usage data: IP address, browser type, access times, referring websites etc.
Cookies and Tracking Information: Data collected through cookies and analytics on our website (for performance improvements).
Purpose of Data Collection
We collect your information solely for purposes that support our mission to provide support and assistance, counselling and legal services, and resources to individuals affected by domestic violence and harassment. These purposes include:
Offering counselling and support services.
Offering legal advice services.
Communicating necessary updates or service offerings.
Ensuring the safety of clients and staff.
Providing support, resources, and information regarding domestic violence assistance.
In cases of emergency relating to incidents of domestic violence.
Managing communication and outreach (e.g., WhatsApp groups, newsletters)
Anonymized data collection for research, training and improving services
Improving our services and website functionality
Ensuring compliance with legal obligations
We will not sell, trade, or lease your personal information to third parties.
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information under the following legal bases:
Consent: Your explicit consent for specific purposes, where required.
Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, such as providing support services.
Legal Obligation: Complying with legal and regulatory requirements especially those that apply to safety and reporting.
Safeguarding of your Information
We take data privacy and security very seriously and implement appropriate measures to protect your personal information. This includes encryption, secure storage, access control, and anonymization where possible. Staff members are trained on handling sensitive data with the utmost confidentiality.
Disclosure of Information
Your personal information will not be shared with third parties except in the following circumstances and/or situations:
Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist us with the delivering of services, provided they comply with our privacy and security standards.
Legal Requirements: Where required by law, such as in cases of mandatory reporting of abuse, especially in circumstances or situations involving and/or relating to children and elderly people.
Emergency Situations: If we believe disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm to you or to others, we may share your information with emergency responders, and/or appropriate authorities.
Data Security, Storage and Retention
We implement security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access. Our website and digital platforms comply with security best practices to prevent data breaches. Sensitive information shared through WhatsApp or other platforms is only accessible to authorized personnel and stored securely where applicable.
We retain personal information only as long as it’s needed to provide our services or comply with legal obligations or at the explicit request of the individual concerned. Data that is no longer required will be securely destroyed or anonymized.
Anonymized Data for Research and Advocacy
We may use anonymized data for purposes of research, training, advocacy, and reporting. This data will not contain personally identifiable information and is used strictly to improve our services and raise awareness regarding domestic violence and harassment.
International Data Transfers
For users outside South Africa, we ensure that any cross-border data transfers are conducted in compliance with international data protection laws. By using our services, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information as outlined here.
Your Rights under POPIA
Under POPIA and GDPR, you have the right to:
Access, update and correction of your personal information held by us.
Withdraw consent where we rely on it as a basis for processing.
Deletion of your data where it’s no longer necessary for us to retain it.
Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe your rights are infringed.
Contact Us
For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:
Email: info@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za
Contact Number: 081 589 4308
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We encourage you to review this page regularly for any changes. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.
Last Updated: [26-10-2024]