Mr. Thompson, the way I would respond is in this manner. At this table, yes, you're right, there are a number of lawyers; however, lawyers aren't generally without some compassion and understanding for the needs of children and the need to protect children.
As you know, at law there are a number of things that need to be in place before we convict people. The whole notion of actus reus and mens rea, which is the act itself and then the whole notion of intention, is a critical part of our justice system. We have to recognize that, because it's what's gives us a system of justice that balances the rights of those who have been victimized against those of persons who have been charged but not yet convicted.
However, I would say this. Especially when it comes to children, we need to be especially vigilant in ensuring that we have tools in place to protect them, because they don't have the same ability as you or I have to defend themselves against predators. As I mentioned earlier, they don't have the same ability to discern what's safe and what isn't. They don't have those critical thinking skills yet. They're easily impressed. They're impressionable young children.
I believe that when we're dealing with children and an attempt to sexually or otherwise hurt them, we need to impose sentences that truly are deterrent, and also provide the courts with the ability to remove habitual offenders—the ones who would repeat their offences no matter what you do with them—from society.
I have sympathy for your frustration with the way in which the justice system sometimes, perhaps, fails to address the needs of victims, especially children.