"If there is such a thing as a miraculous change, then I can truthfully say that it was through AVP that I began to grow from a person filled with hate, anger and despair into a person who believes that he too is responsible for the protection, enrichment and preservation of humanity."

A United Nations survey found that about 1 in 50 people in Britain are the victim of a violent assault each year, which is approximately twice the average for the industrialised world. Besides violent assaults, episodes of threatening behaviour described as ‘really frightening’ affect 1 in 25 people in Britain each year.*

Despite this, there are very few organisations helping adults handle conflict and violence and many courses are expensive. AVP is working with people from all backgrounds, including people with a history of using or suffering physical violence. Our workshops are subsided meaning that no-one is turned away for inability to pay.

In our workshops, participants draw on their own experiences to explore the conflicts within their lives and find ways of dealing with anger and fear. Participants tell us they learn new skills, understand why conflict happens, re-connect with what matters most to them and rebuild relationships, begin to respect themselves more and improve how they communicate with people.

Read Karen’s story to find out how AVP has changed one person’s life ­

* Van Dijk et al (2007): Criminal Victimisation in International Perspective: Key Findings from the 2004-2005 ICVS and EU ICS. The Hague, Ministry of Justice, WODC, 78-82