A reporter posted a series of tweet about how this kind of story is vetted that is pretty interesting. Here's the compiled version (everything after the line is him).
--------------
travis lupick @tlupick
Tonight a buddy told me #Trump is despicable, but the women who came out today are lying. Here's what's wrong with that, I told him...
The women who came today are not lying, & here's how I know that. Because if they were quoted in the NYT today, here's what's happened.
NOTE: this is the perspective of the journalist - not the women. I'm relaying what likely occurred from the reporter's perspective.
1st, I assess claims for myself. Asking same Qs diff ways, & asking for corroboration. (Note NYT story emphasized women told friends.)
2nd, I bring an editor in & they do the same. Then we interview friends & see if what they were told by women matches what we were.
3rd, further corroboration. Did anyone see it happen? Could it have been on camera? Did you tell a therapist & did they take notes?
Now, with the story checking out, I warn them. And there are a lot of things to warn them about.
Warning 1) Google. For the next 20 years, the only Google result your name will have is Trump + assault. Will you be okay with that?
Warning 2) Online harassment. You will be bombarded to an extent you cannot imagine. You think you can take it. But maybe you can't.
Warning 3) Credibility. Ppl will call you a liar & other ppl will say you asked for it. Everyone youve ever met will read all of that.
Warning 4) Physical harassment. Ppl will threaten to hurt you. If you have to, do you have a friend that will let you stay with them?
Warning 5) This will affect your mental health. You know you're doing the right thing, but this volume of negativity will get to you.
Warning 6) The media. You are going to receive more requests for interviews than you can handle. Not everyone will act professional.
Warning 7) Legal. You may need to get a lawyer. There is a chance you will be sued, & a lawsuit could last years & bankrupt you.
If you understand all of that, & if you are ok with all of that, let's do the interview. (At this point, someone lying will back out.)
Again: That is the journalist's perspective. The women will go thru more. But that's how the reporter knows they're not lying. #trump