AVP began in 1975 as an initiative of inmates at Greenhaven Prison in New York State with the collaboration of visiting Quakers (Religious Society of Friends). Their desire was to help young people learn a better way of living so they did not end up behind prison bars, and to encourage all people to look within themselves for answers regarding violence in society. The program was named when a prison guard asked, "How's your Alternatives to Violence coming along?"
From its inception, AVP workshops spread through the NY prison system, into communities across the USA, and out to other countries. AVPAotearoa Facilitators have assisted with introducing AVP to Tonga, South Africa and Hong Kong. Currently, AVP workshops are available in 29 countries. More information can be found in Links.
AVP was brought to Aotearoa/New Zealand in 1991 with introduction workshops in Auckland West Prison and Auckland community. A series of workshops were held in other regions in 1992, and local committees were set up to continue AVP workshops in prisons and communities.
HIPP (Help Increase the Peace Project) began in schools in 1996 in Auckland, Waikato, Taumarunui and Wellington regions and continues to be a developing area for workshops.
In 2002 an Evaluation Report of AVP Workshops in Aotearoa/New Zealand was completed by Brian Phillips (more information in Links).
The workshop programme and the exercises used have evolved over the years, and this continues by the incorporating of feedback and evaluations from participants and facilitators - who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experience.
AVPAotearoa has developed features of it's own, with the inclusion of Tikanga Maori & Te Reo Maori (Maori cultural practices & language) in the workshop structure and trainings. Workshops are held for groups of individuals and/or whanau/family, for partners to participate together or singly and can be focused on specific issues or cater for specific groups of people, including agency services.