In 1979, the Surgeon General of the United States identified violence as a serious public health problem.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, violence is a significant problem in the United States (U.S.). From infants to the elderly, it affects people in all stages of life. In 2014, 15,809 people were victims of homicide and 42,773 took their own life.
The number of violent deaths tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Violence also erodes communities by reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services.
Violence prevention is the ultimate goal. Prevention requires understanding the four factors that influence violence. There is a complex interplay between individuals, their relationships, their community and broad societal factors.
Taken together these four components help create a climate in which violence is encouraged or inhibited. Social and cultural norms also support violence as an acceptable way to resolve conflicts.
Other large societal factors include the health, economic, educational and social policies that help to maintain economic or social inequalities between groups in society.
Since its beginnings at the Greenhaven Prison (NY) in 1977, AVP has recognized the interplay of these four elements, and through its workshops, invests heavily in individuals, teaching that all of us have personal power to transform not only the outcome of a conflict but also our attitudes and relationships.
AVP/Nebraska 