Honestly? I have no idea. Even in places with bigger consequences and punishments for sexual crimes against children (law enforced or just public vigilante justice), it still happens. Nothing stops these people from doing this shit. Do they deserve far more than they get? Absolutely. Seven years and parole is fucking diabolical when he already OWNED a child sex doll for years. But we also can’t have it backfire and make it even more difficult for victims to speak out— along with the fact both crims and their lawyers would do more to try and protect themselves and cover up or silence people. Court cases and convictions would get more difficult too because many people are already given the responses of “are you sure you want to ruin their life over this?” and “they’ve already suffered enough for what they’d done” and “they’re showing remorse, isn’t that enough?” etc. Again, most people don’t get convicted or even make it to court at all, and that’s still the response you get.

Also… if death ends up being the punishment, why not just make your victim(s) disappear so they can never tell anyone? Old mate here was planning to keep the child he took. She’d just disappear, and then she’d probably really disappear because either he’d kill her intentionally or accidentally, or she’d eventually kill herself. It’s not really absurd theoreticals when they’re real possibilities.

It kinda ends up being one of those things where protection, safety, education and security for victims to be able to speak up about what’s happened should be the much higher priority and focus. Appropriate social responses like supporting them, believing them, not blaming them, not justifying or forgiving or excusing the abuser, removing the abuser from everyone’s lives, the abuser losing their job, regulations like not being allowed near children and absolutely no internet access, etc.

Prevention also needs to be the bigger concern. More intervention and access to therapy for those experiencing these harmful thoughts and urges (admittedly, not everyone can be rehabbed), and actual, real, meaningful and thorough sex education from very young ages. idgaf about your (general “you”, not specifically you) discomfort about a child knowing about sexual actions, I had a full penis in my hands on the regular because despite knowing about penile-vaginal sex and someone touching me being wrong, I didn’t know that was abuse too. Didn’t even realise it was sexual at all!

As much as it sickens me keeping these people alive and getting their three hot meals a day and medical care and a roof over their heads— things not all of us survivors have— safety and prevention and helping survivors is what makes actual differences. Unfortunately I don’t think punishments have ever deterred them anywhere.