Reply #39: it's not true that the victims of pedophiles suffer all their lives....

[mike_c]

Like many such generalizations, this one simply doesn't hold up to examination, and I'm living proof. I was molested by a neighborhood pedophile when I was a young boy-- jeeze, I think my mom might read DU and I've never told her that-- but it has NEVER affected my life beyond an occasionally embarrassing memory. OK, you might argue that the effects are unconscious, but the awareness of the event is certainly not causing me any pain. I'll spare you the detailed description. I have no desire for "revenge" or anything like it. I would certainly characterize any "punishment" like those being advocated in this thread as "cruel and unusual." I hope the man didn't hurt anyone more seriously than me, but most of all I hope he found some peace for himself, and some help in dealing with his sexual issues. What if most people who were molested by adults don't actually feel any more connection with the event than I do?

Clearly, some people ARE harmed for long terms, but not all are-- maybe not even most. Applying that generalization as justifaction for draconian punishment IS cruel and unusual, IMO.

on edit-- I did not address the issue of betrayal of trust, which is a connected but separate matter, and which did not apply in my case to any significant degree. Now that I've opened this can of worms I should make that clear.