Reply #71: Your plan demonstrates a flawed understanding

[Heidi]

of pedophilia, or an extraordinary empathy for pedophiles. You implied upthread that you don't believe sex with a three-year-old is possible (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=637920&mesg_id=638265) and now you're arguing for decriminalization of pedophilia in terms that very much mirror the logic of pedophiles who've rationalized their predatory behavior.

Do you not understand that there is a big difference between children exploring their sexuality together, as many kids do, and an adults taking advantage of a child's trust and sexual curiosity in order to satisfy his/her own adult sexual needs?

By the way, I agree that state-sanctioned execution of sex offenders is not the answer, nor is, in many cases, locking them up for life. There's a treatment model which was tried briefly, and on a very limited basis, in California, with some success. However, Fox News and general GOP-led fear-mongering halted that program for all intents and purposes. I agree, too, that treatment (real psychiatric treatment including intensive behavior modification therapy, followed by long-term after-care) should be mandatory for anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a child. When an adult sexually assaults a child, he or she incurs a debt to that child, and I believe the state, on behalf of the child, should garnish a portion of offenders' future wages to help offset the costs of treating that child.

However, I don't believe child sexual assault is an epidemic in our nation, as you asserted.