[pckhvvnv] Reward for reporting child molestation

Instead of legally required snitching (ensnaring Joe Paterno), consider replacing the stick with a carrot: a reward for information leading to arrest and/or conviction of child abusers and molesters.

Will this lead to more child molesters being caught?  Ultimately, does the world become a better place under this policy?

Of particular interest is whether the reward might induce victims to come forward.  Under current policy, the only benefit to offset their self-perceived shame of coming forward as a victim of sexual assault seems to be Schadenfreude against their aggressor.

What is the socially optimal value of the reward?  If it is set too low, someone wealthy could purchase someone's else silence.

Should the reward be the same in all cases, or are some cases worth less than others?

What about false accusation?  Will there be more, or too much, of it?  This is a general problem in any crime where there is a reward for information.

Are there other perverse incentives?  Cynically, a family converts to Catholicism and has their son join the Boy Scouts (or Second Mile) in hopes of hitting the jackpot someday.

Of particular interest is whether the reward might induce victims to come forward.  What if a great many (not false) victims come forward, revealing the crime is extremely widespread?  I worry that we are not prepared for -- not wanting to risk knowing about -- this eventuality, and that is unconsciously why we don't pay rewards for reporting this crime.

Ancient myths like Zeus and Ganymede suggest child molesting is deeply ingrained into human behavior; perhaps there is something biological about it.  If so, there will likely turn out to be many perpetrators, and society will have to confront the results of trying to legislate Nature.