Successful handling of safeguarding concerns is dependent on the level of prior preparedness and focus on the individuals affected. The steps involved are:

• Reporting – Raising a concern through the established reporting channels;
• Review of the report should be done by an objective team/committee that is established for that purpose. The committee will investigate and recommendation the course of action to be taken while ensuring survivor support is activated at the earliest point;
• Case Management involves determining the needs and best interests of the survivors and their witnesses and how best to support them, either as an institution or through the referral systems;
• An Investigation is commissioned to find out what happened, who was involved and why they did what they did among other factors;
• Upon completion of an investigation or review, a decision needs to be made either to have the perpetrator undergo a disciplinary process or to have the incident closed. An incident closure report is prepared, and feedback is given to the persons who raised the concern
• The Closure process involves ensuring that all evidence is returned, and all information regarding the case is archived appropriately as per the data management procedures of the institution.