Rugged bikers support kids in court as they testify against abusers
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Many people stereotype bikers as being selfish, heartless thugs. But this story shows the good that many of them bring into the world.
Everyone knows that there are problems in the world. Only a few do something to fix these problems. The people who form Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) International are some of them.
“What do I get out of BACA? Wow. The knowledge knowing that I’ve done something that no one else can do. That’s to give a child their life back ” – Tree, Former BACA International President.
Rhythm’s story perfectly illustrates why BACA is a vital force for good in the world today.
As a child, an extended member of Rhythm’s family started to abuse her. At first, she hid this knowledge away. Eventually, when she revealed the abuse, many members of her family refused to believe her.
Eventually, Rhythm went into counseling. When Rhythm was still struggling to come to terms with the abuse that she had faced, one of her counselors recommended BACA to her. She soon entered into the organization’s program.
Rhythm began at level one of the BACA program, where the bikers bring the child in and make them part of their family. That involves a chapter of bikers meeting up with the child in an environment where they feel safe. Then the bikers have a ceremony with the child, where the bikers explain how they will offer support to the child. The bikers then present the child with a vest with their road name on the back of it.
After this, BACA assigns some primary supporters to the child, who can be on call for the child around the clock.
“Seeing this like group of adults, bikers like being so kind, not even bringing up what happened to me, just saying ‘Hey, we’re for you. We’re your new family,’ it meant the world to me.” – Rhythm.
Then the child interacts with the bikers, by going on rides around the neighborhood.
After that, the BACA group does all that it can to make the child feel confident. That includes escorting the children to the courthouses so that they can testify against their abusers. This prevents abusers and their family members from intimidating the children.
Thanks to BACA’s support, Rhythm, like many of the children that the organization helps, has been able to grow significantly as a person.
She was able to join clubs in high school, became the varsity captain of the cheer team and is now attending college.
“I owe that to every single person in my life, especially BACA who stood by me and who supported me and said ‘It’s ok to be scared. We’re here for you.'” – Rhythm.
No member of BACA gets paid for what they do. It’s 100% volunteer-led. Yet every member says that they get a lot more out of BACA than what they put in.
Organizations like BACA show why you should never stereotype others. Yes, many bikers can look intimidating. But just because they dress and act differently to you does not make them criminals. In fact, any biker that’s a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse International is actively fighting crime while helping vulnerable children live happy lives.
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