Bad Ass Bikers Fight Child Abused
-
The shuddering growl of a Harley motorcycle is an intimidating thing. To most people it signifies the approach of bikers -- long-haired and tattooed, leather-clad, and tough.
But when children who have been the victims of abuse hear the approaching roar of a group called the Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), they know they've got back-up.
BACA, an international non-profit that uses a biker's tough image to make child abuse victims feel more secure, has a motto that says it all: 'No child deserves to live in fear.'
BACA members are usually asked to intervene by local law enforcement officials or even by a parent. According to the group mission's statment, members will do everything from attending a child's court hearings to actually staying with a victim if he/she is afraid.
“Our mission is to empower these children, allow them not to be afraid of the world, to stand up to the abuser and say you can’t do that me. I’ve got friends, I got backup; if you try to do that to me, you’re going to have go through us,” the Missouri chapter public relations officer, Mopar (the members use ride names for security purposes) told columbia magazine.
Bikers Against Child Abuse was founded in 1995 by a Native American child psychologist whose ride name is Chief, when he came across a young boy who had been subjected to extreme abuse and was too afraid to leave his house. He called the boy to reach out to him, but the only thing that seemed to interest the child was Chief's bike. Soon, some 20 bikers went to the boy's neighborhood and were able to draw him out of his house for the first time in weeks.
Chief's thesis was that a child who has been abused by an adult can benefit psychologically from the presence of even more intimidating adults that they know are on their side. "When we tell a child they don't have to be afraid, they believe us," Arizona biker Pipes told azcentral.com "When we tell them we will be there for them, they believe us."
Membership in Bikers Against Child Abuse is a big commitment. If any of the kids are frightened, they only have to call and the bikers will ride over and stay outside all night, Pipes told azcentral.com.
Besides not using force, the bikers only have one rule. "I don't want to see any tears coming out of your eyes, and the child doesn't either," Pipes told a group of bikers during an interview with azcentral.com"Remember why we're here: to empower the child. If you can't handle it, keep your shades on." There's no crying in BACA.
-
-
There are some biker clubs in the world known to fight for worthy causes, especially in the US where their population is pretty big. I remember reading about a biker club that gives support for war veterans, and another one fighting against animal abuse. They probably realised that they can put their intimidating image and perceived public persona to good use. Salute to these people, and I hope the more rowdy biker gangs learn a thing or two about giving back to the community.
-
Originally posted by re_animated:
There are some biker clubs in the world known to fight for worthy causes, especially in the US where their population is pretty big. I remember reading about a biker club that gives support for war veterans, and another one fighting against animal abuse. They probably realised that they can put their intimidating image and perceived public persona to good use. Salute to these people, and I hope the more rowdy biker gangs learn a thing or two about giving back to the community.
Indeed there're, there is one biker's club that goes round collecting soft toys annually for the children of the poor. Imagine those tough looking bikers surround their bike with soft cutey toys. Actually, the real bad ass are the "Hell Angels", most notorious bike gang in the US