Advocacy group urges caution after historic testimony by four-year-old in rape case

**Warning: this story contains graphic details**

A leading child and youth advocacy organisation has urged caution after the landmark testimony of a four-year-old led to the conviction and sentencing of a child rapist. 

The four-year-old girl is the youngest victim to successfully testify in a rape case in South Africa's history.

As a result fifty-five-year-old Ian Hoggins was handed a life sentence in George last week.

Child rapist Ian Hoggins was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape five years direct imprisonment for sexual assault and eight years direct imprisonment for illegal possession of child pornographic images.

The NPA said the four-year-old victim is the youngest person to testify in a rape case in South Africa successfully. 

Director of the teddy bear clinic, a leading child and youth advocacy organisation working to protect minors from abuse and exploitation Shaheda Omar said the testimony and ruling should be celebrated but with caution.

"It is possible to get coherent testimony from a young child if it is done within the limit and boundaries of presenting any kind of secondary trauma to the child," said Omar.

Omar lauded the judge and prosecution team for being patient and sensitive with the victim during the cross-examination.