30/09/2025
A Landmark for Justice, A Testament to a Child's Courage
The recent case in George, which resulted in a life sentence for a child ra**st, is one of profound contradiction. The crime committed against a 4-year-old girl is unspeakably disturbing, and our primary feeling is one of heartbreak.
Yet, within this tragedy, we must acknowledge a critical step forward for child justice in South Africa. This case marks the first time a 4-year-old has successfully testified in a South African r**e case.
Dr. Shaheda Omar, our Director at the Teddy Bear Foundation, emphasized that this successful testimony was made possible by a specialized, child-centric approach. "This case demonstrates that it is entirely possible for a child to give coherent and compelling evidence when we use expert intermediaries to support them in a safe space. This process allows the child to tell the whole truth of what happened, while protecting them from the secondary trauma of a harsh cross-examination," she stated.
This landmark victory is a testament to the child's immense bravery, but also to a legal system that is learning to adapt. It proves that with the right, trauma-informed protocols, the voices of our very youngest and most vulnerable victims can be heard and can secure justice.
This ruling is not a celebration of the event, but a solemn acknowledgment that the system can work to protect children. It is a hard-won victory for justice that gives hope for the protection of future victims.
Our work continues to develop and advocate for these trauma-informed practices to protect every child.
➡️ Listen to the full report on Radio 702 & Cape Talk: https://shorturl.at/Gh7PM
➡️ Listen to the full report on Radio KFM : https://shorturl.at/bGYTR
➡️ Support our mission to protect and heal : https://teddybearfoundation.org.za/donate/
