Analysis: Many in child-sex cases serve no time

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5232562.html

As I was reading an analysis in the Houston Chronicle called “Many in child sex crime serve no time” I felt relieved and disgusted at the same time. It was a relief to see someone publicly critical of the Texas punishment system for sexual offenders but disgusted because it doesn’t appear much is being changed in the system. The article goes on to say although there are new harsher consequences for sexual offenders even the death penalty offenders move on with minimum punishment.
The author said it best “Some victims advocates say that while the new legislation may be politically popular, it doesn't attack the root of the problem.”
All sexual crimes are difficult but sexual crimes against juveniles and/or children can be particularly difficult because they are typically committed by someone known to the victim. So many emotionally gripping factors come into play when dealing with this issue and it appears the author of this article truly grasp were the real problems are. It doesn’t appear our Texas government wants to address or commit the resources needed to effectively punish sexual offenders. These types of crimes can be deeply rooted in a family. Putting the law in ones living room can bring on feelings of guilt, exposure, embarrassment and shame for the victim and families involved. Victims who don’t deal with their abuse or feel their offender was adequately punished can carry burdens well into their adulthood. Also, statistics show those who are violated and don’t deal with their abuse are more likely to sexual offend themselves opposed to those who deal with their abuse. My point, if the Texas legal system doesn't properly deal with sexually abused victims they might one day be dealing with them on the opposite of the law.
So I ask myself why did our Texas legislature spend so much time to pass new laws which are not implemented, only available? I agree with the Director of The Family Place in Dallas, Liz Hodges the legislative changes are "a way for everybody to feel like they've done something. The more important question, what is our state going to do to address the “root of the problem?” These crimes go on legally “swept under the carpet” because this is a huge task to tackle. If our Texas courts system and legal experts can’t handle sexual crimes against juveniles and/or young children committed by the “guy next door” how is a Texas family expected to handle the issue on their own?