Articles > Guest Contributors > Amy Hornblas
Amy Hornblas is the Youth Services Coordinator for AWARE (Aid to Women, Men, and Children in Abuse and Rape Emergencies) in Hardwick, Vermont. Her duties include working directly with youth who have experienced sexual or domestic violence, providing them with emotional support, educational support groups, legal advocacy, and support for their non-offending caregivers.
Ms. Hornblas has also developed numerous violence prevention programs which she takes to local schools and conferences around New England. Addressing the increasing amount of violence in the media has been a priority for her as she has seen that television violence can have similar results for children as witnessing real violence. She is also concerned that the media's portrayal of violence is misinforming the public, especially youth who think it is realistic.
Recently she wrote a book called This Is Your Brain on Television, which won an International Safety Media Award in the spring of 2006. Over 200 copies of the book have been distributed nationally so far. This Is Your Brain on Television is also a curriculum which has been presented to students of all ages, including adults. Evaluation results for the school-based program show that the curriculum is successful in teaching participants about media's effects on the brain and encouraging them to change their media habits. Amy has a BA in Community Health from Goddard College and lives in Vermont.
