From Munck Krause, 1 Day ago, written in Plain Text.
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  1. Paul Diamond’s fight with the Frankel Eight helped remove legal time limits for sexual abuse cases, inspiring calls for reform in the UK.
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  3.  A Case That Changed South Africa Forever
  4.  Paul Diamond, a businessman from South Africa, played a key role in the historic Frankel Eight case. The case challenged time limits in prosecuting sexual offences. Its outcome changed South African law and empowered survivors worldwide. The lessons are highly relevant to the UK today. Survivors in Britain still face barriers, both legal and social. By learning from South Africa, the UK can take stronger steps toward justice.
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  6.  The Frankel Eight were eight survivors of childhood sexual abuse. They accused Sidney Frankel, a wealthy Johannesburg businessman, of crimes committed between the 1970s and 1980s. The survivors were very young at the time, aged between six and fifteen. Their allegations involved repeated abuse carried out in trusted environments.
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  8.  Yet, when they sought justice years later, they hit a wall. South Africa’s law at the time set a 20-year limit on prosecuting many sexual offences. Once that period expired, survivors could not bring their abuser to court. This rule denied them any chance at legal redress.
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  10.  Diamond joined forces with the Frankel Eight. Together, they challenged the constitutionality of this time limit. The courts agreed. The High Court declared the 20-year rule unconstitutional in 2017. Later, the Constitutional Court confirmed this decision. As a result, no sexual offence in South Africa is now restricted by time.
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  12.  The ruling gave the Frankel Eight recognition of their suffering. https://brightonjournal.co.uk/paul-diamonds-pursuit-of-justice-what-the-uk-can-learn-from-the-frankel-eight-case/ More importantly, it opened the door for future survivors to seek justice, no matter how late.
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  14.  The UK’s Uneasy Record on Time Limits
  15.  The UK does not impose criminal time limits for the most serious offences. Crimes like rape and sexual assault can be prosecuted at any time. A survivor can come forward decades later and still see their abuser face trial. This is a strength of the UK system.
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  17.  However, the civil system tells a different story. Survivors who wish to sue for damages face strict deadlines. In England and Wales, the general rule gives only three years from the date of harm. For children, the clock begins when they turn eighteen. That means a survivor has until age twenty-one to start a claim.
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  19.  Of course, many survivors are not ready by then. Trauma delays disclosure. Fear silences voices. Shame and stigma discourage action. As a result, many miss the legal window.
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  21.  Judges in England and Wales do have discretion to extend the time limit. But that discretion is uncertain. Survivors often face lengthy arguments over whether their case can even be heard. The process itself becomes another barrier to healing.
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  25.  Scotland has already changed course. In 2017, it abolished the three-year limit for civil claims relating to childhood abuse. The reform applies retrospectively, giving survivors from decades past a chance to claim damages. Scotland’s model shows that reform is possible. England and Wales could follow the same path.
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  28.  Survivors Speak of Barriers and Delays
  29.  Despite some progress, survivors in the UK still face many struggles. Delayed reporting is a common reality. Research shows that many victims of childhood abuse wait years before disclosing. https://london-post.co.uk/paul-diamond-the-frankel-eight-and-the-laws-the-uk-still-needs-to-rethink/ Some take decades. Trauma, fear of disbelief, and manipulation by abusers all play a role.
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  31.  Legal time limits do not reflect these realities. They assume survivors act quickly, when in fact most cannot. Even when criminal prosecution is possible, practical hurdles remain. Evidence may be lost. Witnesses may no longer be available. Institutions may destroy records. These issues can weaken cases, even without a formal time bar.
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  33.  Support groups across the UK argue that the system still disadvantages survivors. They point out that laws must reflect the psychological harm caused by abuse. Trauma can distort memory, delay disclosure, and cause lifelong scars. If the law ignores these truths, it fails survivors.
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  35.  Public inquiries, such as those into institutional abuse, highlight the same pattern. Survivors speak of being silenced or ignored. Legal hurdles only add to their sense of exclusion. The lesson is clear: a justice system must adapt to the reality of abuse, not expect survivors to adapt to rigid rules.
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  37.  Hard Lessons from the Frankel Eight
  38.  The Frankel Eight case provides valuable lessons for the UK.
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  40.  First, it shows the power of challenging unjust laws. Survivors stood together and demanded change. With Diamond’s support, they proved that limits on justice were unconstitutional.
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  42.  Second, it demonstrates the importance of recognising trauma. The South African courts acknowledged that survivors may not report abuse immediately. Trauma can silence for decades. Law must not punish survivors for delays beyond their control.
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  44.  Third, it highlights the role of activism. The Frankel Eight were not only survivors; they became advocates. Their courage inspired public debate and legislative reform. Survivor-led activism is essential in pushing governments toward justice.
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  46.  Fourth, it underlines the need for legislative reform. Court victories create momentum, but lasting change requires clear laws. The UK must ensure that reforms are written into statute, not left to judicial discretion.
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  48.  By studying South Africa’s example, the UK can move closer to a system that truly supports survivors.
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  50.  Diamond’s Role in a Global Struggle
  51.  Paul Diamond’s role in the Frankel Eight case makes him a symbol of global solidarity. His support was not just financial but also moral. He stood beside the survivors and amplified their voices.
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  53.  His involvement shows how international collaboration matters. Legal change in one country can inspire reforms elsewhere. Survivor stories do not stop at borders. They resonate with people in different cultures and legal systems.
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  55.  For the UK, Diamond’s story is a reminder that justice struggles are shared worldwide. Survivors in South Africa, the UK, and beyond face similar obstacles. By listening to each other, they build a stronger global movement.
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  57.  International solidarity also pressures governments. When survivor stories gain global attention, it becomes harder for lawmakers to ignore. Media coverage and public debate cross borders, shaping opinion and law.
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  59.  Diamond’s fight proves that individual action matters. https://beforeitsnews.com/business/2025/09/the-frankel-eight-how-survivors-like-paul-diamond-changed-the-law-with-courage-3768840.html One person can join survivors, challenge unjust rules, and help spark reform. His example encourages others to stand up for justice, wherever they are.
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  61.  Why the UK Cannot Wait for Reform
  62.  The Frankel Eight case shows that change is possible. The UK must continue to push for reforms that protect survivors. Criminal law may not need major change, but civil law does. Survivors deserve the chance to claim damages without arbitrary deadlines.
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  64.  Charities and survivor support groups need strong backing. Organisations across the UK provide counselling, legal advice, and safe spaces for survivors. Supporting these groups strengthens the movement for reform.
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  66.  Lawmakers must also listen more closely to survivors. Their voices carry the truth of lived experience. Any reform that ignores them risks repeating old mistakes.
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  68.  Awareness is key. The more society understands trauma and delayed disclosure, the harder it is for outdated laws to stand. Schools, workplaces, and media all play a role in breaking the silence.
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  70.  Finally, every citizen can act. Writing to MPs, sharing survivor stories, and supporting charities all make a difference. Justice is not only a legal concept; it is a social commitment.
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  72.  A Call for Change That Cannot Be Ignored
  73.  The Frankel Eight case, led in part by Paul Diamond, shows that justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied. South Africa abolished its time limits for sexual offences, recognising the reality of trauma. The UK has made progress, but more is needed.
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  75.  By learning from South Africa, the UK can strengthen its laws and support survivors more effectively. Survivors deserve not just sympathy, but genuine access to justice, no matter how much time has passed.
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  77.  The fight of the Frankel Eight is a reminder of courage, persistence, and solidarity. It proves that change is possible when survivors speak, allies listen, and courts act. Paul Diamond Diamond’s role ensures that their story resonates far beyond South Africa.
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  79.  The message for the UK is clear: survivors must never again be told they are too late.
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  81.  Source
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  83. Website: https://beforeitsnews.com/business/2025/09/the-frankel-eight-how-survivors-like-paul-diamond-changed-the-law-with-courage-3768840.html