by MaryAnne Block
You hear a rumble in the distance. You feel the ground trembling beneath your feet, and then you see them: members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse.
They park their motorcycles and introduce themselves. With a short ceremony a child is welcomed into the BACA “family.”
BACA is an organization of bikers who wants to create a safer environment for abused children. They strive to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. They work with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. They stand ready to shield the children from further abuse.
These bikers volunteer their time. They do not condone violence or physical force in any manner, but they are ready to be an obstacle to prevent further abuse of children.
Because these bikers are sometimes in potentially dangerous situations, they do not use their real names to protect the children and themselves. Road names such as Motorcycle, Scooter, PAPA and Popeye are part of the area chapter. The chapter president assured the Newsleaders at least one BACA member lives in readership cities of the Newsleaders, including St. Joseph, but names and cities they live in cannot be specifically mentioned for safety reasons.
BACA exists to provide aid, comfort, safety and support for children who have been sexually, physically and emotionally abused. They are dedicated to the principle that one of the basic rights of childhood is to be safe and protected, and when the child’s family or environment have failed them, the bikers stand ready to provide it for them.
BACA started as an idea to help one wounded child. This child was 8 years old at the time and was so frightened of his perpetrators he would not leave his residence. The organization founder, having had kind and loving experiences with bikers in his youth, was moved to include this boy in his biker circle. Within weeks, the boy was seen all over town riding his bike and playing with other children.
There are two Minnesota BACA chapters: St. Cloud (the Granite City chapter) and one in the southeast corner of the state. The organization officially began in 1995 in Utah and now has chapters in most of the states, plus internationally.
To become a BBACA, a person must have regular access to a motorcycle that will do the speed limit. They must be 18 years old or older and submit to a federal fingerprinted background check. They must attend monthly BACA meetings, rides, court hearings and other BACA events. They are required to ride with the BACA chapter for one year “minimum.” After at least one year, they are then presented to the governing board of directors and must be unanimously voted in to become a member.
BACA is organized with a central contact person to receive calls from referring agencies and individuals. A recognized, authorized agency with which the child has had contact determines the child is still frightened by his or her environment. The agency representative contacts BACA or refers the individual to contact BACA. Then, the name and address of the child is given to the BACA/child liaison. The liaison verifies the case has been reported, the authorities have been contacted and the case is being processed within the system.
Anytime the child feels scared and in need of the presence of his new BACA family, the child may call upon their two assigned bikers to go to the child’s house and provide the necessary reassurance to feel safe and protected. BACA members and supporters also support the children by providing escorts for them if they feel scared in their neighborhoods, riding by their homes on a regular basis, supporting the children at court and parole hearings, attending their interviews and staying with the children if they are alone and frightened. The BACA members never go to the child’s house alone and never without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Their mission is not to be permanently engaged as the child’s supportive power. Rather it is to help the children and their families learn how powerful they can be. Their presence will be available as long as the child needs them.
The organization is constantly searching for bikers who are willing to commit to something more than just themselves. For more information on what it takes and how you can help, visit its website at bacaworld.org. The site also provides more information, and an email form is provided to contact the state BACA president. Or interested individuals can also call the local Granite City Chapter at 320-961-4705.
