Most child sexual abuse is done in a way that is pleasurable for the child, by people the child loves and cares about.
They by default will almost certainly not want their abuser to be punished, but this is the one thing that shouldnt be allowed.
Why?
Because most people who sexually abuse a child do not stop at one child. It’s not just about punishing the pedo for the act, it’s also about stopping them from pedoing again.
There’s another possible scenario of a child making the confession because they’re feeling guilty about the sexual act despite being a victim.
That is a good point.
I can’t imagine that the current confessional protections apply in that scenario.
Any priest who would hear a confession from a child who was sexually assaulted and then hides it should probably go to jail themselves.
what if the child doesn’t want the abuser to be punished, should the victim not have that right regardless of their mental wellbeing?
Nope. Child sexual abuse doesn’t work that way.
Most child sexual abuse is done in a way that is pleasurable for the child, by people the child loves and cares about.
They by default will almost certainly not want their abuser to be punished, but this is the one thing that shouldnt be allowed.
Why?
Because most people who sexually abuse a child do not stop at one child. It’s not just about punishing the pedo for the act, it’s also about stopping them from pedoing again.
That’s why we have sex offender registries.