“But if there is genuinely no question of them repeating the abuse, and this is possible (If they are now severely disabled, for example), then is it our duty to ensure they are punished?”
How about our duty to show the one who was abused that we care about what he went through? To show other abusers that we care about what they do?
The abuser deserves no sympathy for what he did. He should be reported to the real authorities. No more covering this up.
Covering up shows other abusers that if the circumstances are right, they can get away with a grievous action.
Covering up shows the victim that we are disregarding what they went through and protecting their abuser.
Covering up is absolutely disgusting.