Forget Dustin Hoffman's case. Let's talk a little more generally.
Of course this type of behavior should be condemned when indecent and punished when criminal. But the passage of time has to be taken into account somehow.
In most cases, bringing these types of claims after several years or decades makes it impossible for an accused to defend their reputation or position in society.
So for civil and criminal liability, some sort of limitations period makes sense.
As for reputation and social position, which includes politics and celebrity, the First Amendment and defamation law are the best the legal system can muster. So there is no deadline for sexual misconduct claims. But the potential penalties are different.
It is up to informal social and cultural forces to filter the information and act accordingly. The stronger the culture, the more fair this issue is dealt with.
And if I may humbly speak for some FR men, these claims can also be used as political weapons. And I am going to hold stale claims brought against conservative candidates in a liberal media frenzy to a very high standard of proof.
I start with stating that I love men. I helped make three more. I hate male bashing with a passion and I stand up for men in all situations where they get screwed.
But I still disagree with you on the timeline of abuse. This bursting forth of old stories is GOOD for victims everywhere, and for the innocent little girls today as potential future victims. I am sorry for men having to be bombarded with these old stories and apparently feeling put upon as if this were an attack on all friendly or flirtatious men. It’s really not.
Many of us have egregious old stories and many of us felt we could tell no one. It was a deeply painful thing that we had to do, both experiencing the attack, and having to deal with the powerful person afterwards. Secrets can burn.
And we women have done very well in spite. Men have a lot of trouble getting over being raped by older men when they were young. Can you imagine?
So these bursts of stories about powerful men having hurt them sexually are really just women saying “YOU THINK THIS GUY IS A GOOD GUY. HERE IS WHAT HE WILL DO TO YOUR DAUGHTER IF NO ONE IS LOOKING.”
Think about them like that. It helps you guys decide whether to do a project or hire these guys who, unbeknownst to you, their colleague, actually rape unwilling women, or expose themselves and masturbate in front of unwilling women. I believe it is good to know that your colleague is a phony and not actually decent human.
Maybe that will help you understand why these stories, IF TRUE, need to come out. Even if they are old.