Serious case review: Key areas for improvement

A serious case review by Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board into the suicide of violinist Frances Andrade, who killed herself days after giving evidence against a former music teacher, called for these improvements:

• Criminal justice professionals to offer better support to sex abuse survivors and recognise their "vulnerability" when facing their abusers in court
• Provide expert witness testimony in court to explain to jurors how childhood sex abuse can affect people

• Judges "should be proactive" when they consider a witness is vulnerable by introducing special measures, even when they have refused them

• Mental health services to increase their alertness to the fall-out of sexual exploitation and the risks of suicide and self-harm
• Media to be "mindful of the way a person's mental health and their credibility are discussed throughout court proceedings."