AVP began in 1975 in a New York prison.  Inmates were concerned about the rising levels of violence and so worked with experienced group facilitators to create sessions for young men to handle conflict better and without violence. The programme worked so well that it quickly spread to many other prisons and then into wider society.

Since then, AVP has spread to over 50 countries and is being used in schools, refugee camps, prisons and young offenders institutions, and in communities worldwide.

AVP Britain was set up in 1989.  We now run around 50 low-cost workshops a year in every area of Britain and we are growing.  AVP Britain has also helped set up branches in Burundi, Nigeria, Norway and Sweden.

Download our 2010/11 annual review to read more about our success.