The August Project

The August Project is a 26- week education and intervention program for perpetrators of domestic violence. It focuses on teaching participants how to make peaceful, responsible choices when handling conflict and crisis in their relationships.

Anyone who has been charged with domestic violence or is eligible or anyone whose behavior is causing harm and injury to family members is encouraged to join.  The 26 week program meets one day per week and covers  a multitude of areas including defining domestic violence, stereotypes, anger management, stress cues, conflict resolution, empathy building, and defining a healthy relationship.  

After completion of the program, a voluntary aftercare group meets once a month until the person feels confident to be on his/her own.

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One Man's Story

One such man made an entry in a journal log as part of an assignment exploring some of his feelings of remorse at the person he had become.  He aptly describes the way he and his wife used to be and how they are now.  He says, “…my wife and I looked our finest and were our finest for each other, and we enjoyed our lives together so much, and every day was special for ‘us’.  What happened to ‘us’?  What happened to me?”  Acknowledging destructive behavior or taking ownership of your past behavior is an important step in taking responsibility for your future actions.   Most batterers can relate to what this man expresses in his journal.  The puzzlement of not knowing how life changed so much and how feelings of  love could so easily turn into destructive feelings can humble them into choosing to make life changes for the better.  The journal writer also explains, “It is embarrassing and humbling to sit here because I need to be re-taught such Basic Life Lessons as ‘Respect, Control, Self-Control, The Golden Rule, 10 Commandments, and changing childish behavior.” 

Once batterers take ownership of their actions, the experience is eye opening and they can begin to design a plan of action that leads them to a more productive and positive life.  “I DO NOT WANT TO BE THIS TYPE OF PERSON ANYMORE!” is probably a sentence many batterers have written in their journals once they have understood their previous destructive behaviors.  Batterers, when being truly honest, do not like their behavior and begin to dislike themselves.  The destructive cycle begins.  These feelings and words of wanting to change is the first step in turning domestic violence affected families into more loving and caring families.

The August Project not only offers hope to the victims and batterers, but knowledge and tools that can be used to reunite their families.  Helping people explore deep inside themselves to unlock the mystery behind their destructive feelings and behavior, and supplying behavior tools to assist them in solving problems are what the August Project does to change lives!