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.