Tough on crime

In today's Post Bob Tarantino makes a fair point by saying sentences for child assault are striking low in PEI. He then goes on to complain Canada is not "tough on crime". Be that as it may, child assault is the wrong offence for Mr. Tarantino's thesis.

Child assault is a peculiar crime -- one where recidivism is very common and deterrence, even in theory, most unlikely.

Being 'tough' on child abuse is mere rhetoric -- protection of children and society must be the focus.

A better approach is to recognise the nature of the offence and the deal with specific offenders by supervising and separating them from the general community until they pose no further risk. Since most child molesters are a danger until late middle age, such a period of separation and supervision may well greatly exceed the current maximum sentence for such a crime under the Criminal Code.

The goal of the criminal system ought not to be vengeance but public safety. Rather than merely increasing sentences arbitrarily a careful analysis of what is needed justly to protect society is what is needed.