Borba shared her views Wednesday with Vacaville Unified School District educators, the majority from middle and high schools. A feeling of alienation seems to be the underlying factor in each case. Research shows that a youth around the age of 12 is more susceptible to negative influences. These groups, be they hate-motivated organizations or some type of gang, have members who recruit kids and provide them with a sense of belonging, she added. These values need to be pursued until they become ingrained in students, Borba said.
Teachers can address the problem in a number of ways.
Most importantly, just let a student know you care, Borba said. She warned that not all students will be easy to reach. They're protecting themselves, that's what they're doing. But if warning signs begin popping up, it may be time to seek more help. Borba said school violence is definitely on the rise, yet rarely is it a sudden thing.