Since the accused can't be kept quiet, is it realistic to have a document that
purports to provide confidentiality? Unless the identity of the accuser and
the
alleged victim are unknown to the accused (which would create its own set of
problems), the process can't really be called confidential.
+1
This kind of process only remains confidential if it is somewhat consensual,
both the plaintiff and the accused agree that the settlement is fair, and both
agree to leave it at that. We will see escalation if either party believes that
the result is unfair, e.g., that the plaintiff's complaint was not taken
seriously enough, or conversely that the accused was not given due process. In
that case, either party could take the IETF to court, and the whole affair will
become very public.
This is not idle speculation. We do see escalations against universities for
their treatment of assumed sexual improprieties, resulting in some cases in
millions of dollars in settlements. There are plenty of lawyers who see
"amateur justice" as an opportunity for lucrative settlements.
-- Christian Huitema