For weeks, the nation has been gripped by details surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and his child sex-trafficking operation. An operation uncovered more than a decade ago but badly addressed by prosecutors. Last year we learned that Larry Nasser continued to sexually abuse child athletes for 20 years after the first accusations surfaced against him.

These aren't isolated incidents. We've seen similar patterns of open secrets that everyone knows about and no one acts upon with Jerry Sandusky and Cardinal George Pell. With too many people in too many sectors of society, assaulting children for years or decades with impunity.

When we finally do hold someone accountable for child sexual abuse we want credit for making it count. New charges against Epstein carried a maximum sentence of 45 years - essentially a life sentence had the 66-year-old lived to be convicted.