Application made to overturn statute of limitations for sex offenders

By Lopang Alamu
SABC News
May 22, 2017

http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/2a1a6680413c159e970a9f08c3fad33b/Application-made-to-overturn-statute-of-limitations-for-sex-offenders-20170522

The Frankel Eight want changes to the statute of limitations law.

A group, known as the Frankel Eight, are trying to overturn the statute of limitations for sex offenders. The eight claim to have been sexually abused by late billionaire Sydney Frankel.

It is estimated that 80% of sexually violated children were victimised by someone they know.

The Frankel eight have taken the first step in a lengthy legal journey. They claim they were abused over 30 years ago.

On Monday, the applicants petitioned the Johannesburg High Court. Their main task was to try and overturn a statute of limitations law. This states that after 20 years, victims of sexual abuse no longer have a criminal case against the perpetrator.

"Currently the courts are saying that sexual violence and sexual molestation is not as serious as rape because there was no form of penetration and the impact of being molested for years is much worse," says Women and Men against Child Abuse’s Miranda Friedmann.

Rape has no prescription period, unlike sexual molestation. Therefore, a victim of these crimes can report and institute criminal proceedings at any time.

“They are coming on their own behalf, but also they come on behalf of public interest even if there is no life case," says State Prosecutor Anton Katz.

If the two-day hearing is in favour of the applicants, the ruling has to be confirmed by the Constitutional Cour