44 6. The focal points of the visits conducted within the NPM’s competence One of the most effective means of eliminating or preventing ill-treatment is if the staff members learn as soon as possible about the grievances of the persons deprived of their liberty relative to their placement or treatment, probe into the matter within a reasonable time and take the measures to remedy those grievances with no delay. Considering the vulnerable position of persons deprived of their liberty and their fear of eventual retaliation, I expect the places of detention to provide them with the means to submit anonymous complaints. My colleagues examine at every place of detention how the persons deprived of their liberty may submit their complaints, how the staff registers those complaints, how the complaints are inquired into and remedied, and how the complainants are informed of the inquiries’ results.