A cross-channel call for justice is gaining momentum. In France, victims of rape and sexual assault are mobilising to demand an end to the statute of limitations that currently bars prosecution for crimes committed more than 30 years ago. Their campaign, which has drawn support from politicians and activists, is now reigniting a similar debate in the United Kingdom, where the clock is already ticking for many survivors.
The French proposal would abolish the time limit entirely for rape and remove the 30-year cap for other serious sexual offences. For victims, the change is not just legal but emotional. 'You cannot put a time limit on trauma,' said Marie-Claire, a survivor who spoke at a rally in Paris last weekend.
'The pain does not fade after 20 years. It stays. And so should the law.
' In the UK, the current statute of limitations for rape is effectively nonexistent in England and Wales – there is no time limit for reporting. But critics argue that the system is failing survivors in practice. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) data shows that the average time between reporting and charge has increased, and many cases are dropped due to delays and lack of evidence.
In Scotland, the time limit was abolished in 2019, but campaigners say more needs to be done to support victims through the process. The French movement has caught the attention of British MPs. Labour MP Stella Creasy, a long-time campaigner for women's rights, said: 'We must listen to the survivors in France.
Their fight is our fight. Our laws may differ, but the principle is the same: justice delayed should not be justice denied.' However, legal experts warn that removing time limits entirely could lead to difficulties.
'The passage of time erodes evidence and witness memories,' said Professor Jane Carter of the London School of Economics. 'There is a balance to be struck between the rights of victims and the need for a fair trial.' But for victims, the balance often feels lopsided.
In the UK, an estimated 85% of rape victims do not report the crime. Of those who do, only a fraction see a conviction. The French proposal has given hope to British survivors who have been waiting decades for closure.
'I reported the abuse when I was 15,' said Sarah, a survivor from Manchester. 'The case was dropped for lack of evidence. Now, 20 years later, I can't even get a review.
The system has failed me.' The debate is also a class issue. Wealthier victims can afford private prosecutors and legal representation, while others are left to navigate a underfunded legal aid system.
'Justice is for the rich,' said Rape Crisis UK in a statement. 'We need systemic change, not just a tweak to the statute of limitations.' As the French parliament debates the bill later this year, British campaigners are planning a cross-party push for a similar review.
The government has so far resisted a full consultation, citing the need for 'robust evidence'. But the voices from across the Channel are getting louder. 'We will not be silent,' said Marie-Claire.
'And we will not wait another 30 years.
