Choosing the right grievance mechanism to file a complaint with involves familiarising yourself with each mechanism’s specific requirements and procedures and the types of outcomes you can and cannot expect if the process is successful.

It is advisable to research how well the mechanism has functioned, how it has handled similar cases, how long the process tends to take and whether there are rules that you cannot adhere to such as confidentiality requirements. It is possible to file complaints with more than one grievance mechanism. The appropriate grievance mechanism for your case depends on a number of factors, including your resources, the desired outcome and your broader (campaign) strategy.

• Step 6: Prepare for the complaint