BACAās OC President Leads Bikers to Combat Child Abuse
It would be a dream come true if we could live in a world that is free of worries; a world where we all feel important and loved. Unfortunately, such a world does not exist, particularly for some children. These children are those that have been physically or mentally abused or abandoned. Thankfully, there are organizations that exist to combat child abuse to make children feel important and empowered. One such organization is Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), which is made up of volunteer bikers whose sole mission is to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. By empowering children, BACA seeks to break the chains of abuse.
BACA was founded 22 years ago by JP Lilly, known in the biker community as āChief.ā He was a child play therapist when he started BACA as an idea to help an eight-year-old who was so frightened of his perpetrators that he would not leave his home. Chief grew up with bikers and used his existing relationship with the biker community to create an organization that sought to empower, at that time, the first BACA child. Within weeks, that child was able to play outside his home, ride his bike, and play with friends. What started as an idea was realized across the country by the dedicated and heartfelt love of bikers with a common mission. The BACA organization has numerous chapters across the country, and international chapters in many countries; including Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and more.
One of the founders of the Orange County chapter and current chapter president, āFesterā knows the need to help abused children by empowering them is real.
āIf I can help even one child, I am on my way to making a difference,ā he says. āAnd what I love best about my chapter is that every member and supporter wants to make a difference.ā
BACA works with federal and state officials to help abused children. According to Fester, members must undergo a thorough background check before they can ride out to meet the abused child. A family with an abused child can contact BACA directly. Child protection or prevention agencies may also refer them. Once BACA receives the case, bikers gather and ride out together to meet the child for the first time. The child joins the BACA family with a road name and a vest bearing the BACA patch. Two BACA members step in as primary contacts, always ready to protect and support.
BACA is around as long as the child needs someone to make him or her feel safe.Ā āSometimes BACA members even attend court and parole hearings where an abused child will refuse to cooperate because the person who hurt him or her has 30 people sitting there,ā Fester says.
āThatās when we roll in with [a big crew] to make the child feel empowered to testify in front of his or her abuser.ā
In Orange County alone, there were approximately 48,000 reported cases of child abuse in 2016. Thereās no way to know how many cases of child abuse go unreported. However, studies show the real number is much higher. Working with BACA means facing scared, vulnerable children, and thatās never easy. Still, BACA members stay strong and committed, doing whatever it takes to lift the weight these kids carry. Their mission is to ease the fear and bring comfort, one child at a time. āThings often get emotional and the saying ābikers donāt cryā is absolutely false because I definitely have had those overwhelming times,ā Fester says.
Ultimately, itās the heartwarming moments that these visits create that keep Fester involved.
āWhen you go and meet a scared child who is hiding behind the momās leg, and then within 10 minutes, theyāre running around, jumping on the bikes, and high-fiving each otherāitās proof that BACA works,ā Fester says.
March for Whatās Right
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which makes for BACAās busiest month packed with meetings and presentations to bring awareness to a necessary topic.
Bikers Against Child Abuse Chapters are Almost Everywhere
Austria
Australia
Canada
France
Germany
Iceland
Italy
Netherlands
New Zealand
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Bikers Against Child Abuse
@bikersagainstchildabuseintl
Photographed By: Bradley Blackburn Bikers Against Child Abuse
- Nicole Hakimhttps://localemagazine.com/author/nicole-hakim/
- Nicole Hakimhttps://localemagazine.com/author/nicole-hakim/