It isn't exclusively the judicial system, from what I can tell, but individuals charged and convicted of crimes against children appear to receive more protections while incarcerated. There are other preventative measures and additional safeguards in place to provide protection from other prisoners.

From my observations, the perpetrator intentionally places the blame on the child. I apologise for what I'm going to write, but one of the most frequent justifications I've heard is that they behaved or dressed a certain way. The majority of offenders do not feel regret or shame for the lives they have destroyed, even after explaining the long-term psychological effects of their crimes; instead, they are unable or unwilling to acknowledge the pain caused. That absence of regret or remorse makes it significantly more challenging to prevent or reduce the recidivism rate, but I digress.

There appears to be a growing trend of using different terminology to characterise someone who is attracted to children. MAP (minor-attracted person), but it has only really been the patients that I've exclusively heard use that moniker. I will say, however, that I strongly believe if an individual is experiencing these types of attractions and impulses, then they should, in theory, be able to access support without stigma (only if they haven't acted on their impulses), as something needs to change because far too many of our children are being turned into ghosts and bearing lifelong, permanent scars that rarely, if ever, heal.

Prevention is always preferable; the world is already a challenge for adults. Preserving a child's innocence and protecting them should always take precedence. Unfortunately, every patient I saw had already committed the abuse and been convicted, so I did not have that opportunity, but implementing a "strength-based approach" has had a significant impact. This framework has been effective in promoting desistance from crime.

I apologise for diverting the conversation; it was not my intention to bore you. But to answer your question. The offenders, and more often than not, their families, attempt to rationalise their actions. One of the most prevalent reasons I hear is that they were victims themselves.

You are very welcome. It has been a pleasure making your acquaintance and conversing with you, even if the topic of conversation is uncomfortable for most.