October 06, 2025

Ep 91 – MI for Intimate Partner Violence

56 minutes

Glenn and Seb welcomed Ken McMaster, MSW Hons, CQSW, on the podcast to discuss the use of MI for intimate partner violence. Ken has over forty years’ experience working at the cutting edge of intervention work with men who are violent and who sexually abuse. He is known for his innovative practice ideas and the ability to translate theory into practice. He has held positions as a member and Chair of the Family Violence Advisory Committee/ Te Rangai Whiriwhiri Tukinotanga a-Whānau. This committee was established to provide the Minister of Social Services and Employment with independent policy advice on matters related to government initiatives within the family violence arena. He was also a founding member of the National Network of Stopping Violence Services/Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Putanga and is a past chair. Ken worked on the Respondent Program Regulations for the Domestic Violence Act (1995). In addition, he has worked as a part-time lecturer in Social Work at Canterbury University and is now involved full-time with HMA as manager, writer of materials and principal trainer. He has been a member of the Domestic Violence Act Program Approvals Committee for the Ministry of Justice.

Ken McMaster has published two books on Domestic Violence – A Private Affair, GP Books: Wellington (1989) and Feeling Angry, Playing Fair, Reed: Auckland, (1988). He has co-edited a book with Arthur Wells titled Innovative Approaches to Stopping Family Violence, Steele Roberts: Wellington (2003), and with Leon Bakker titled Will they do it again: Assessing and managing risk, HMA Books: Christchurch (2006). In 2011 Ken co-edited with David Riley Effective Interventions with Offenders, Steele Roberts: Wellington (2011).

Ken has had involvement in training dating back to 1985 and has led the design of a number of large Correctional and MI initiatives in Australia and New Zealand. Ken is a member of the MI Network of Trainers (MINT) and is currently Chair of MINT after serving as Chair of MINT Oceania, a voluntary group of MINT members tasked with supporting MI practice within Australia and New Zealand.

Episode Index

0:00 – Episode intro

7:09 – Ken’s introduction and early MI story

10:30 – From “What you’ve done” to “What’s your story?”

16:00 – Links to past trauma and creating safety

20:30 – Supporting practitioners

27:00 – Exploring discrepancy between values and behaviour

28:30 – Working with mandated clients

35:35 – The “Why” in MI

43:30 – Combining MI with other approaches

48:45 – Supporting the family

51:20 – Technology and innovation: using AI and apps to reduce violence