Im glad to see throughout this thread a smattering of appreciation for the distinction between a ‘paedophile’ and a child rapist, however it is a shame this wasn’t carried out in SC; as much as I love one liners, personal insults and general ignorance.
I have to agree with the OP sentiments that there seems to be an almost fashionable trend to respond in a dramatic and draconian way towards this issue. Ask yourself at what times can you solve a problem by eradicating it from existence. Are we talking similar to HIV or the nazi-era jews? You cannot simply solve a complex problem by poking it with a stick, exclaiming you don’t like it and throwing it in the gutter.
Sexual deviancy is not an uncommon thing. Infact I have no doubts that many of you likely have some perversion or other that you keep to yourself as a taboo. Now imagine that that taboo rose to the forefront of your cortex and manifested itself into an obsession. You know its wrong, you hate yourself for doing it, but nothing can erase the feelings other than satisfying your own desires. I believe this is a position many if not most pedophiles would find themselves in today as vilified members of society.
From this point forth, the moral majority is left with two options; Incarceration or rehabilitation. The former is the current mode of thinking and effectively means that anybody who has these compulsions is doomed regardless of their desire for liberation. If you should dare to admit and confront your addictions you are sentencing yourself to a life of exile and imprisonment. If you don’t take this cataclysmic step, your desires can manifest into physical exertions within a very short amount of time. By vilifying a paedophile, you are effectively preventing them from getting the help that they need, that you need them to have and society as a whole wants.
I firmly believe the later option to be the appropriate way forward together with the correct distinction between a ‘paedophile’, its apathetic acceptance as a condition and the vile criminality of a convicted child abuser/rapist/murderer. Don’t forget many of those labeled nonces are respected members of society who never would act on their desires, are ashamed of their condition and would like nothing more than to stand up with a loud voice and ask for help. How can such a person possibly do this whilst you stand over them, taunting them, all because of a different mode of thinking.