While bikers aren’t a group of people you’d expect to be at the forefront of a movement to protect abused children, that’s exactly what’s happening with Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA). The global organization not only pledges 24/7 support and protection for kids who have been subject to abuse but if the judge allows it, they’ll also accompany the little ones to court when necessary so they don’t feel scared when facing their abuser. How amazing are these men and women?
- Their tagline is “No child deserves to live in fear.” And they couldn’t be more right. The organization came to be in 1995, when founder and social worker John Paul “Chief” Lilly from Provo, Utah came up with the idea to allow bikers, many of whom had also faced abuse as kids, to stand up and be counted as adults and help those going through the same things they did. Since then, BACA has grown to become an international organization with thousands of members in 37 states and six countries dedicated to shielding kids from further harm.
- They’re there to do what it takes. In addition to accompanying kids to court, the bikers will be around any time the abused child needs them. “One thing we try and do as an organization is to help that child feel empowered so they can enjoy their childhood and grow up as an adult knowing that there’s always going to be somebody there and not all adults are bad,” explained Happy Dodson, President of the Connecticut chapter, in an interview with CBS News. “If the child has problems sleeping or getting on the bus or is afraid to go to school we’ll take you to school. When the bus drops you off, we’ll be there. We’ll take you home and if need be we’ll stay in that yard until you feel comfortable.”
- It’s not about violence at all. While it might seem that having physically imposing bikers supporting child support victims might be about intimidating their abuser, it isn’t (though if it has that side effect, all the better!). In reality, it’s about showing kids strength in numbers and making them feel good about themselves and safe against any dangers they might be worried about. “We want to help make sure these kids can grow up and lead happy lives in any way we can,” said member Raja.
- The bikers are working with the authorities to widen their scope. While the police and social workers can often become overstretched, BACA is there to fill in the gaps. After a member of the group meets with the child, the little one is then given two “caseworkers” of sorts who they can contact at any time. The kid even gets a BACA vest to make them feel like they’re part of the group and they’re also given the chance to go on a motorcycle ride, which is pretty badass!
- We need more people like this in the world. If we all reached out to help vulnerable children and adults, the world would be a much better place. (Of course, it’d be an amazing place if abuse and violations of power didn’t exist in the first place, but until that happens, the rest of us need to step up.) You can find out more about BACA on their Facebook page or their website.
