Thank you for your question.
The process is very important from the moment a complaint has been received, whether through the court system or elsewhere.
First responders should be properly trained to handle complaints, by which we mean showing empathy, listening and being kind. You may well say that this is subjective, but there are techniques that can be used and taught if the first responders are properly trained. Coaching throughout any process like this is essential.
The responders therefore need to know about active listening. Instead of trying to blame the victims, which sometimes happens in the criminal system, the police and others need to use interview techniques that involve active listening. That's the first thing.
Then, I think the complainants need to be properly informed about what they can expect, because some of the steps involved in making a complaint can be traumatic. I'm referring here to the fact that people may experience a new form of victimization when they testify and tell their story, and that can make them vulnerable during the process. It's important to really pay attention to that and to ensure that an overwhelming amount of testimony is required from the victim. One session should be enough.
To be sure, the victims need to trust the complaint system. The more they know what's involved and by whom the process is being conducted, the better things will go. For example, the process could be carried out by experts in sexual violence or psychological violence. The victims need to trust them, and I believe that requires systematic psychological support to help the complainants. When a complaint is made, it can elicit all kinds of difficult things, and without support from a psychologist with listening skills, the process can create a lot of anxiety.
It's also important to ensure that launching the complaint process will not be harmful to the athlete's future career. That may mean sanctioning those who allowed certain incidents to happen.
I know that it's complicated and that I could go on at greater length, but in terms of an answer, that's a good start.