What punishment should child molesters and rapists get?

No. Death penalty for rape is unlikely to deter it. Instead, the rapists would then have an incentive to kill their victims as well.

If it is death then there doesn't seem to be anything which distinguishes the level of wrong between molesting a child and killing a child. The latter is obv worse.

If it is death then there doesn't seem to be anything which distinguishes the level of wrong between molesting a child and killing a child. The latter is obv worse.

Could you explain why death penalty will give them a an incentive as well?

How do you think these crimes should be distinguished in terms of punishment?

Do you also think there should be a different punishment for someone lets say who killed 50 people compared to someone who killed one person?

The rape victim is often the only witness/source of evidence is many cases; moreover, since the punishment for rape and murder would be the same, there would be absolutely no reason for the rapists to spare their victims. In addition to not being a rational punishment from a deterrence perspective, it's also disproportionate.

Do you think people who rape someone have actually accepted the fact that they might end up in prison for many years and at that moment they are actually thinking about the punishment. Not all people who rape are psychopaths or have a criminal record. Some of these will go on to rape others regardless of the punishment. If for example ordinary people who in perhaps frustration (bad example) decide to rape, such a horrifying punishment will at least deter these people.

Even if some of the rapes are what we call "crimes of passion", the rapist would certainly consider how to get away successfully after committing the rape. So yes, it would certainly Incentivise the rapist to get rid of evidence via murder.

In general, horrifying/severe punishments are no more effective at deterrence than long-term prison sentences.

Solitary confinement for the murderer. Prison for life for the rapist.



Yes. Though it isn't practically possible.

I think those punishments are much more justified than a timed sentence. Perhaps life in jail might be even worse than death penalty. But the problem is, in how many cases is the offender actually awarded such a long sentence. Plus there is then the aspect of financial burden of supporting one for life in jail, but that's sort of irrelevant to this.

Wouldn't the rapist consider how to get away anyway. Let's suppose it was life in prison instead for rape why would they not kill the victim to cover that evidence as life in prison is still quite a severe punishment

I feel the punishment should also be considered in what will allow the victim a greater satisfaction or help them to recover. Knowing your rapist is alive is a heavy burden to carry.

The second part of your statement is arguable as studies have pointed to both ways.

If it is death then there doesn't seem to be anything which distinguishes the level of wrong between molesting a child and killing a child. The latter is obv worse.