Comprehensive and completely confidential counselling for those who seek help.
This is exactly what I am supporting. The issue we have in treating these individuals is that most
Lock up those who fail to resist their urges, they had their chance and they've demonstrated that they're not willing to play by societies rules.
The issue is, without the safety net of 'seeking help' and 'knowing you need to seek help', it is easier to offend. I think after serving their sentence, whatever it may be (for these crimes it ranges from probation to 20+ years depending on the severity and state or federal charges), they should go to a SOTP (sex offender treatment program) for reintegration.
You think most people would 'do it anyway'. That's what I think is wrong. I don't believe people are that weak. Certainly not most people.
I can't speak as to whether or not 'most people' would do it because there's not nearly enough research here. Most pedophilles won't admit to it, even on a survey. However, I think most people in treatment programs do claim that they originally planned not to offend. They are not the sociopaths who keep on planning to offend forever. These are the people who should be targeted.
Also, I think it is very easy to say that morals will hold up, even for moral people. In fact, most people who have sex offended were saying the same thing you were 10 years before being arrested. It's not black and white, cut and dry. A series of things has to add up to lead to a sex offense.
Here is a sexual abuse cycle identified in treatment of sex offenders.
Stuff like this might move up slowly, and it may take decades. Someone of generally high moral standing may, suddenly, come in contact with the opportunity to offend against a known child, or use child pornogrpahy. They might, for example, think the 12 year old child that they are speaking with is more 'adult' than most adults they know. The child may feel close to the adult. The adult may believe the child is coming on to them, and then an offense happens. The adult feels guilty, says they should not do that, but then the next time they are in contact with the child, the same thing happens (or maybe not). This same person with a high moral resolve unintentionally put them into a high risk situation, used cognitive distortions, and committed a sex act on a child, something they resolved never to do.
Identifying individuals who might engage in this behavior is tricky because it is really difficult to know if they will or not, but I would strongly suggest anyone with a pedophillic arousal pattern who intends on not offending to make sure they have the skills necessary to keep this goal rather than relying on himself entirely. It might seem like an insult, 'gee you don't think I can take care of myself, you dont think I can go around without raping anyone today' but it really serves to benefit the offender and potential victims. So maybe they will go to a treatment program for a few months, learn a few new skills, and make sure they don't ever end up in jail or hurting someone else. If I were in that situation, I would much rather suck up my pride and make sure rather than dealing with draconian laws dealing with those who have been arrested.