About
Rize Above is a multi-stream primary prevention relationship education program for young people, developed by Relationships Australia South Australia in partnership with the City of Salisbury.
Responding to the drivers of violence, Rize Above was built with the guidance and influence of young community members.
The online course can be completed as part of a school response or by an individual. More on the program below.
Meet the Team
We are a specialist community-focused team, based in South Australia, which provides support and training to young people. We provide therapeutic-education services to young people 12-25 years and support parents, caregivers and professionals to gain skills in understanding and talking about healthy relationships, family and domestic violence and gender equality.
The aim of our work is to assist young people to develop skills to have healthier more equal relationships, and to support caregivers and professionals to become allies with these goals. We provide professional training sessions and partner with senior schools to create community change.
We are allies with community and strive to not only hear the voices of those too often silenced, but to privilege them in the work we do.
Memoona Rafique (she/her)
Manager PEACE & MOSAIC Services
I am honoured to be the Manager for PEACE Multicultural Services. I have been a part of Relationships Australia SA since 2015. I have served in different roles including Manager Trauma Services, Team Leader PEACE Multicultural Services and Coordinator for Multicultural Gambling Help Services.
I am originally from Pakistan, where I obtained my degrees in Clinical Psychology and Project Management. After I came to Australia in 2012, I attained further qualifications in counselling, leadership and management, and as a Child Safe Environments trainer.
Before joining RASA, I worked in International Civil Services with the United Nations in several agencies, primarily in UNDP and UNICEF. I performed different roles and duties internationally where I gained a wealth of experience in community development, capacity building, health education and psychosocial support.
I am an active volunteer for many community associations and organisations. I am extremely passionate about social justice, community empowerment and the impact of small contributions that everyone can make towards a better, peaceful and happy world.
It’s a privilege to lead a team that is so diverse, full of knowledge, and that possesses great potential and shares rich experiences.
Biji Seby (she/her)
Team Leader PEACE Multicultural Service
I am a seasoned practitioner with over 9 years of experience within and outside of Australia. I come with a Master’s in counselling and Post Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy and currently pursuing my Master’s in social work. I am an accredited Drumbeat facilitator.
I have supported individuals (both young people and adults), couples and families struggling with alcohol and drugs use, gambling and gaming behaviour, mental health issues, loss and grief, relationship distress, and family conflicts. I have facilitated therapeutic group for women who have survived domestic violence for 3 years and developed and facilitated various other groups for young people. I have extensively participated in community education and awareness activities. I currently lead and support a team of extremely passionate individuals both operationally and with practice.
Trauma is central to many of the people presenting for therapy and I am passionate about working in that space. Each day of my work, I continue to be in awe of the strength and resilience of those that trust in sharing their story with me and that makes my work extremely humbling and fulfilling.
Rui Ma (She/Her)
Community Engagement / Therapeutic Group Worker
Rui is one of the friendly faces of Rize Above team at Relationships Australia. Splitting her time across delivering in-school program and engaging young people in the online interactive youth hub, Rui is passionate about working with young people and pride themselves on creating a safe, friendly, confidential, and non-judgmental environment. Coming from education and social work background, Rui has experience working with young people from different cultural backgrounds and LGBTIQA+ community in social and therapeutic group settings where their voices are heard for decisions and development. Rui is also a strong advocate for removing the stigma around youth mental health and preventing domestic violence through improving literacy.
Tabitha Bol (She/Her)
Community Engagement / Therapeutic Group Worker
Tabitha is a passionate, dedicated, and hardworking member of the Rize Above team who believes in the power of giving back to those who need it the most. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of Education, Behavioural Psychology, Youth Work, Community engagement and Advocacy.
Her work history includes teaching at a Juvenile detention centre, as well as Youth work where she was able to connect and support families and young people from diverse backgrounds with complex needs and experiences. She is trained in philosophies such as the Sanctuary Model, Trauma informed practices, Ubuntu Philosophy, culturally responsive practices, Unconditional positive regards, and other child-centred practices. Tabitha approaches situations with openness, growth mindset and a multifaceted view of
different situations and concepts. Her knowledge and lived experiences enable her to navigate through different systems as well as create learning and development opportunities and safe spaces in different sectors of the community.
Nick Brandenburg (he/his)
Therapeutic Worker / Family Group Worker
Nick is an enthusiastic member of the Rize Above team. He has worked therapeutically with children and young people for a number of years in different roles. He has also worked as a men’s domestic violence counsellor. That role involved working with men who had used violence against their partners or families and helping them to make positive changes to their behaviours.
Nick realises the importance of early intervention and prevention, which is why he is so enthusiastic about educating young people about the importance of safe and healthy relationships. He believes in equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to be able to negotiate the complexities of intimate relationships in safe and respectful ways.
Saima Farheen (she/her)
Senior Practitioner / Project Officer
I have been working with PEACE Multicultural Services since 2020 and with Relationships Australia SA since 2016. I am originally from Pakistan and immigrated to Australia in 2015. I brought with me the knowledge and experience of working in multidisciplinary areas, including project management in an IT environment, event management, client services, marketing and education. I hold a master’s degree in Business Administration and English Literature. I completed my Diploma of Community Services and Diploma of Counselling after coming to Australia. I have also worked with the Client Services and Children Contact Services Teams in RASA; the experience has helped me gain an understanding of the legal and cultural perspective when living and working in Australia.
I am very passionate about working on projects that involve community education and engagement. I develop new resources for different programs within PEACE, including but not limited to Blood Borne Viruses, Gambling Help, Rize Above Violence, The Good Life Project etc. I also work one-on-one with multicultural clients, providing counselling and case management support.
I am incredibly passionate about working with CALD communities and making a difference in people’s lives. I love the diverse dynamics of my role as that is what keeps me motivated.
Meet the Peer-Mentors in Training
Head over to the Youth Hub to ask the mentors about all things relationships!
Select ‘Ask a Peer-Mentor’ in the Q&A chat box.
Eva (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Hang out with my friends, read, research new topics that I become interested in, watch documentaries and movies.
Ask me about: Sex education, anything.
Daisy (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Watch true crime and listen to music.
Ask me about: Anything.
Yenika (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Dance and hang out with friends or family.
Ask me about: Anything!
Kyla (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Sing, act, and listen to all kinds of music. Also I love watching marvel movies & Harry Potter.
Ask me about: Anything you feel comfortable asking!
Holly (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Go on hikes, walks, anything adventurous in nature.
Ask me about: Anything
Emilie (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Hang out with my friends and listen to music.
Ask me about: Anything you want to ask.
Brianna (She/Her)
For fun I like to: Go for hikes and reorganise spaces.
Ask me about: Anything.
What is Rize Above?
Rize Above is a specifically designed multi-stream program which responds to the drivers of violence. It is funded under the Australian Government, Department of Social Services and aligns with The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The four streams are:
The projects are designed, developed and delivered with the support of community and whilst delivered as a primary prevention program has components built in to support the sustainability of impacts.
Intimate partner violence contributes to more death, disability and illness in women aged 15 to 44 than any other preventable risk factor. Every year in Australia, over 300,000 women experience violence.
By the age 15:
- 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence.
- 1 in 3 have experienced physical violence
- 1 in 4 have experienced sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner
Gender Drivers which lead to higher probability of violence against women include:
- Condoning of violence against women
- Men’s control of decision making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life
- Rigid gender roles and stereotyped constructions of masculinity and femininity
- Male peer relations that emphasise aggression and disrespect towards women
Rize Above – Respectful Relationships Education Program actions that disrupt these drivers to lower the probability of violence against women:
- Identifying and challenging the condoning of violence against women
- Fosters positive personal identities and challenges rigid gender stereotypes and roles
- Strengthens positive, equal and respectful relationships
- Promotes and normalises gender equality
Relationships Australia South Australia
Responding to your needs
Relationships Australia South Australia has over 60 years’ experience in providing services that respond to the needs of South Australians. We are a not-for-profit, charitable organisation, with no religious affiliations. Our purpose is to provide services which assist people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, with a particular focus on:
- Those who are financially disadvantaged and are unable to access other services;
- Those who are living with complex life situations;
- Those who are affected by past experiences or health conditions which have a impact on their lives.
At Relationships Australia South Australia we are here to provide the help needed to overcome difficulties so that people can bring about positive change in their lives.
We receive funding from both the Commonwealth and State governments. We are a member of the National Federation of Relationships Australia, which has member organisations in every Australian State and Territory.
Our approach
Our health and wellbeing services are based on a primary health approach. This broad approach recognises the importance of the social environment – families, friends, colleagues, communities – as an influence on how well we feel. We understand that life can have unexpected challenges and we support people during these times. We recognise that there are health inequalities in our society and we work closely with community groups to make sure our services are responsive to diverse experiences and needs.
We employ over 280 staff and provide services from nine different locations, in addition to outreach services to many communities and schools across South Australia.
We are governed by a board of directors. For more information, see Governance.
To learn more about Relationships Australia South Australia please visit www.rasa.org.au
