Motivation as a barrier to inclusion in mandatory treatment: Some thoughts based on therapeutic
practice with persons with an intellectual disability
Persons with an intellectual disability and a risk of reoffending sexually face several difficulties accessing appropriate treatment. In Belgium, courts almost invariably mandate specialized treatment for persons at risk for reoffending sexually. When these persons have an intellectual disability, additional barriers to entry in specialized care can be identified, such as the often common expectations of a measure of intrinsic treatment motivation, being able at least partly to admit responsibility for the situation, and being able to formulate (an) acceptable treatment goal(s). These barriers add to the difficulty of transfer from prison to care. This article aims, firstly, to view low treatment motivation of sexual offenders with intellectual disability from a developmental perspective and, secondly, to recommend several potential ways to promote better access to appropriate treatment.