The Frankel Eight: How Survivors Like Paul Diamond Changed the Law with Courage

In 2017, Paul Diamond, a businessman from South Africa, stepped forward as one of eight survivors of childhood sexual abuse to challenge a long-standing injustice in the country’s legal system. Known as the Frankel Eight, these courageous individuals took on not only their alleged abuser, the powerful stockbroker Sidney Frankel, but also the law that protected him.

For decades, South Africa’s 20-year limit on prosecuting certain sexual offences meant that many survivors had no legal pathway to justice. The Frankel Eight’s challenge led to a Constitutional Court ruling that changed this forever. Their bravery didn’t just rewrite the law—it reignited a global conversation about survivor rights, trauma, and accountability.

A Story of Silence, Then Strength

Paul Diamond’s story began like many others: with silence. For years, he buried the memory of the abuse he experienced as a child. Like his fellow complainants, Diamond knew his abuser well. Sidney Frankel was a respected philanthropist and businessman. But behind closed doors, Frankel allegedly exploited his position of trust to harm vulnerable children.

The decision to come forward was not easy. It took Diamond and the other survivors decades to reach a place where they felt able to speak. In 2013, they filed a civil claim against Frankel, hoping not only to expose him but to create public awareness around how abuse can remain hidden for years.

Their courage sparked media attention, legal debate, and eventually, a fight that would land in the highest court in the country.

What It Means to Be a Survivor

Survivors of sexual abuse often face an uphill battle—emotionally, psychologically, and legally. Many do not speak out until adulthood, long after the statute of limitations has passed. According to global studies, it can take survivors between 15 and 30 years to report abuse. Some never do.

Fear, shame, confusion, and trauma often keep survivors silent. In childhood sexual abuse cases, the power imbalance between adult perpetrators and their victims makes disclosure even more difficult. Survivors fear they won’t be believed. They fear judgment or retaliation. They fear reopening old wounds.

In an interview, Diamond acknowledged these challenges. He described years of denial and internal conflict. For a long time, he told himself the abuse wasn’t real or wasn’t serious. Only through therapy and speaking with others did he begin to accept what had happened—and decide to take action.

His decision was a turning point. It became the catalyst for legal reform and sparked a movement focused on empowering survivors.

The Legal Battle Against the Clock

At the heart of the case was an outdated provision in South African law. Section 18 of the Criminal Procedure Act limited the prosecution of certain sexual offences to 20 years. This applied to sexual assault but not to rape. The distinction made no sense to survivors or to many legal experts.

This meant that while rape had no statute of limitations, other serious sexual offences—like molestation or indecent assault—could not be prosecuted if more than two decades had passed. For survivors like Diamond, whose abuse occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, this law meant their abuser could never face criminal charges.

The Frankel Eight decided to challenge the constitutionality of Section 18. With the support of civil society organisations and legal experts, they filed a case in the High Court. In June 2017, the Gauteng High Court ruled in their favour, declaring the 20-year limit unconstitutional.

However, the decision required confirmation from the Constitutional Court. And so, the battle continued—this time on the country’s highest legal stage.

Changing the Law, Changing Lives

In June 2018, the Constitutional Court of South Africa delivered its ruling. It upheld the High Court’s judgment and removed the 20-year time limit for prosecuting all sexual offences. The ruling applied retroactively and immediately.

In the words of Justice Edwin Cameron, “The differentiation is irrational and arbitrary.” The judgment recognized that delayed disclosure is not only common but expected in cases involving trauma. It reinforced the principle that justice must be accessible to all victims, regardless of when they come forward.

Diamond called the ruling a “relief.” He expressed hope that the outcome would encourage other survivors to speak out and seek justice—free from the fear of legal deadlines. “We want the world to know that we were silenced for too long,” he said. “Now the law hears us.”

The ruling not only validated the pain of the Frankel Eight but also empowered thousands of survivors across South Africa. It sparked new cases and opened the door for justice long denied.

The Global Fight for Survivor Rights: Paul Diamond and Beyond

The Frankel Eight case had ripple effects beyond South Africa. Around the world, survivors face similar limitations. In countries like the UK, US, and Australia, statute of limitation laws still restrict prosecutions for historic sexual offences.

Activists and legal reformers looked to the Frankel case as a model. It showed that survivor-led litigation could lead to legislative change. It also exposed the absurdity of arbitrary time limits in sexual abuse cases.

In 2019, the South African government passed a bill formally removing the statute of limitations for all sexual offences. The move was widely celebrated by advocacy groups, including the Women’s Legal Centre and Lawyers for Human Rights, who had supported the Frankel Eight throughout their case.

Meanwhile, in the UK, campaigners cited South Africa’s progress as part of their own push for reforms. Discussions began to address whether laws in England and Wales should be amended to remove or extend the time limits for historical abuse cases.

Remember the Eight, Honour the Courage

The Frankel Eight didn’t just change a law—they changed lives. Their actions gave a voice to the silenced and hope to the hopeless. They proved that courage and unity can challenge even the most entrenched systems of power and protection.

For Paul Diamond, the battle was personal—but its impact was national. His strength, and that of his fellow survivors, showed that one voice can break silence, and eight voices can change a country.

In interviews following the ruling, Diamond was clear: this wasn’t just about their abuser. It was about all abusers. “What happened to us must not happen to anyone else,” he said. “Now, the law says: your time is up.”

Their story continues to inspire survivors and legal advocates around the world. The Frankel Eight are no longer just a group of complainants—they are symbols of justice, resilience, and change.