People stayed in touch with Epstein because he had power and money, not because they wanted to rehabilitate him
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I think you misunderstand me: I was thinking in terms of biology rather than sociology. History records occasional notable women that bore children early and lived long lives. But my point was that a majority of girls simply should not have sex early. Itās not about the exceptions or trying to find a way around it.
And your second point, is pedophilia the unforgivable sin? If so, be honest about just wanting to execute them instead of putting them in prison for a while. If not, then they will need to come back into society.
Itās such a difficult area though, legally, morally and culturally. There is also, as pointed out, a degree of hysteria - especially in the UK, not helped by some very high profile cases, e.g. Rotherham - which prevents rational discussion.
The law has to be careful that the net cast to stop abuse of children by adults does not criminalise two fourteen year olds starting to explore a physical relationships.
That might be true but high profile public figures such as Mandelson and AfkaP should have known better.
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That is the foundation of most criminal justice systems, but those systems also acknowledge that there are some offenders for whom rehabilitation is probably not possible. Hence we have whole life sentences, or being detained at his Majesties pleasure.
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Of course. Youāre talking about a different situation.
Of course.
Are you two just arguing for the sake of it, or do you genuinely not see the difference between an individual making an effort to rehabilitate people and what youāre saying?
Well some āpeople stayed close to Epstein because he still had power, money and access to young girls.
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No, just pointing out that rehabilitation is not always possible, something you have agreed with.
A certain Paul Gadd for one example.
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Which is why I believe France judges more on the difference between the ages, rather than the age itself
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I see.
What about the thought that, even if someone is beyond rehabilitation, itās humane to maintain a friendship?
Iām genuinely curious why you think that. At the end of the day theyāre still human beings with the same weaknesses as the rest of us though added to super human levels of arrogance.
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And that usually happens I would have thought, especially with family. But not everyone would be able to find it within themselves to continue a relationship with someone who has perpetrated such horrible things. Humanity is like that in reality.
So, are you now just aguing for the sake of it 
A person with the right skills could well maintain contact with a sex offender. As has been suggested that could keep them away from reoffending as their existence is at least being recognised.
However, actual friendship would/should not be possible.
Not on this occasion 
Iām interested in other peopleās opinions.
I think thatās harsh - better to try and help someone than to turn your back, surely? It does not imply forgiveness for what they did.
I have some knowledge of this as a friend of mine who I had known since school days went to jail in the early 2000s for sexual offences against young boys. I had lost touch with him prior to the offending, but heard about the crime later.
It turned out that he himself had been sexually abused as a young boy, and this had set him on the path to offending himself. This does not excuse the crime, but goes some way to explaining why it happened and I think means that he deserved some sympathy and support (if only to help avoid reoffending).
Sadly I was out of touch with the family and only heard about it all years later, and my friend has since died, otherwise I would absolutely have reached out to offer support. While he was rightly held responsible for his crime I think in large part he was as much a victim as those he abused.
And itās important to help break the cycle as well I think.
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Perhaps I didnāt explain my statement properly. I am advocating treatment/therapy by someone properly trained to help such troubled individuals but true friendship could be dangerous, not least for the aiding party e.g. becoming part of the problem themselves.
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I agree that proper professional help is necessary. I think itās possible though to be supportive and understanding of someoneās problem without getting too closely involved.
Academic in the case of my former friend, but I think some sort of moral support is useful, though naturally it will depend on the individual circumstances.
Any stats on proper professional help success rates and lack of re offending?
Because I think those in public life should expect higher levels of accountability and scrutiny.
Though, in practice, what we get is arrogance and a āthey canāt touch meā attitude, as you say.
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Totally different situation. 2 14 year olds, ok. 14 year old and 20 year old, not OK. 14 year old and 11 year old not OK.