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| What is Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Inc.? |
Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (BACA) is a non-profit, 501-C-3 tax exempt organization that exists to provide aid, comfort, safety, and support for children that have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused. We are dedicated to the principle that one of the basic rights of childhood is to be safe and protected, and when the childs family and environment have failed them, we stand ready to provide it to them.
BACA is a strong organization of dedicated individuals that are willing to sacrifice any and all in order to protect and secure the childrens basic right to a happy childhood. |
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| How is BACA structured? |
BACA has a multi-tiered structure. The organization is lead by a National Executive Board (NEB) that is comprised of seven elected members who have proven their dedication to the children and to BACA; and who have had previous leadership experiences within the organization.
The next tier is the National Board of Directors (NB), which is comprised of NEB members, and State Representatives elected from each state within the country. The NB has responsibility and input regarding national business. NB members also have individual responsibilities within their respective states.
Each state has a BACA State Board of Directors which is made up of local BACA chapters. All members of the National Board serve on the executive board of the State Board in their respective state. State Board of Director members are the elected officers from each chapter within that state.
Under the State Board are the individual chapters in each state that is comprised of elected officials from that geographical chapter to administrate the dealings of BACA.
Each level has its responsibilities within the parameters under which they were elected. |
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| Why is there a need for BACA? |
BACA was founded by John Paul Chief Lilly. Chief is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor, and Part-time faculty at Brigham Young University. He has been in practice for twenty years, most of which has been spent in the treatment of abused children. Chief became keenly aware that while the system was able to offer much in the way of helping the children to heal, there were gaps that needed to be filled.
The two major gaps were: providing for the safety of the children and, providing funding for their therapy. Even with the court involvement to protect children from further abuse with the issuance of protective orders and removing perpetrators from neighborhoods, the perpetrators were continuing to access and wound the children. It would be naive and misrepresentative to believe that law enforcement officials could protect these children from their perpetrators on a continual basis. Further, many children that are abused do not qualify for therapy funding because their cases did not meet the basic requirements of the rules of evidence, and the cases are closed. While it might be obvious that a child has been abused, that child might not qualify for therapy benefits because he/she was too frightened to provide enough evidence for the case to be pursued. Chief noted that safe children are more capable of telling the truth because the threats made by an abuser are offset by the presence of dedicated bikers that have now become family.
BACA also provides for the children by attending court proceedings and parole hearings with them, escorting them to and from school or errands if necessary, and many other ways to insure that the children are free from fear and can return to their previous level of adaptive functioning.
One of the greatest and unique assets of BACA for the children is its biker family attitude. Bikers are a tightly knitted group. The brotherhood and family values are not just a way to live, but a way of life. One for all and all for one, is not just a quote, it is our reality. The children have an uncanny sense for honesty and trust. The children can feel when they are being lied to or told the truth. When a large group of bikers ride to a childs house to support and honor that child, and the bikers tell that child that he/she does not need to be scared anymore because the bikers are there and will be there under any circumstances, the children feel the security of a brotherhood. Children understand that child abusers are cowards that prey on the helpless. After children have been adopted into the BACA family they are not helpless or powerless anymore. |
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| How did BACA start? |
| BACA started as an idea to help one wounded child. This child was eight years old at the time, and was so frightened of his perpetrators that he would not leave his residence. Chief, having had kind and loving experiences with bikers in his youth was moved to include this boy in his biker circle. Within weeks, this boy was seen all over town riding his bike and playing with other children. The idea to rally the biker community in defense and in support of children was actualized in 1995 when the first ride was held to visit wounded children and adopt them into the biker family- that first ride had twenty seven bikes present. From there it was only a matter of time before the word spread quickly about what was happening in Utah. Shortly after forming the first chapter in Utah, another chapter was formed in Utah, then Oklahoma and Texas, and the rest is part of the BACA history. What was started as an idea was actualized by the dedicated and heartfelt love of bikers across the country. |
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| Who are the members of BACA? |
| Members of BACA come from all walks of life. There are attorneys, law enforcement officers, warehouse workers, business owners, schoolteachers, retired teachers, clinical therapists, construction workers, secretaries, farmers, newspaper editors, radio personalities, and general laborers. This is a short list from one chapter. BACA only discriminates against one kind of person-child abusers. Everyone else meeting the basic requirements and has the time, the commitment, and the energy are welcome. |
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| What is required to become a member of BACA? |
| To become a full-patched BACA member a person must have regular access to a motorcycle that will do the speed limit. They must be 18 years old or older. They must successfully pass a background check by not having any convictions for violent or abusive crimes against children. They must attend monthly BACA meetings, rides, court hearings, other BACA events and ride with the BACA chapter for one year. They are then presented to the governing Board of Directors and must be unanimously voted in to become a member. |
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| What measures are taken to insure that no pedophiles can become members of BACA? |
| As stated earlier, all member applicants must pass a background check. They must attend 80% of BACA meetings and events during their first year and must be unanimously approved worthy by a Board of Directors. Further protection is implemented by policy that does not allow any one member to be alone with a child. The same policy states there must be a member of the same gender as the child included in any kind of visit with the child. |
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| Do BACA members receive training? |
| Every BACA chapter has access to a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) that sits as a non-voting member of the BACA State Board. That LMHP is responsible for conducting bi-annual trainings for the BACA membership on such issues as: childhood trauma, the effects of abuse on children, effective means of treating childhood abuse, biker conduct with the children, and other topics relevant to the safe and gentle implementation of our mission with the children. While our LMHPs are from differing disciplines, their dedication and desire to help unifies us in our mission. |
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| How does BACA protect its’ members from accusations of child abuse? |
First, BACA members have to make sure that a referral is a legitimate case. There are people who will try to take advantage of our kindness for their own gain, and our kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. There are several avenues to take when getting background information about a referral case. There are police reports that are reviewed, court transcripts, and medical records, which can and are used as verification. In some cases interviews with family and friends can be helpful in establishing or discrediting a reported circumstance. Once the case is established to be legitimate, the members get a feel for the people involved fairly quickly. Any information that doesnt seem right is addressed with all members.
Secondly, we have at least two members present when meeting with referrals at all times. Not only does this give better protection against accusations it also gives our members better insight and interpretations as to the situation with the abused child. It also adds to the feeling of security for the abused child by having big friends around. |
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| How does BACA receive referrals? |
| BACA members get calls from parents, guardians, police, child-care agencies, etc. informing us about potential referrals. Once we receive a call we must then verify that it is in the system and is an actual case of child abuse. Sometimes calls come for situations that are not in the system and we instruct the people involved that any abuse must be reported to the authorities before we can become involved. We give them direction as to whom to contact in their area. This not only gets law enforcement and child-care agencies involved where needed, it also weeds out the false claims that we see from time to time. Some people incorrectly think that we are vigilantes for hire; we are not. |
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| How is BACA received by the general public? |
Because we are bikers, there are times when the uninformed may have understandable, but unfounded concerns about BACA. The media, Hollywood and some unscrupulous authors have helped to stereotype all bikers as people to be feared. Because of these misconceptions about bikers in general, BACAs image is sometimes harmed.
In order to counter the misconceptions, BACA chapters conduct and attend community events to meet with the public and answer questions people may have. This not only introduces BACA to the public to educate them about what we are, it also helps raise awareness of child abuse and demonstrates an extremely effective venue through which the epidemic can be addressed. Public presentations also have proven a very effective way for people to get involved in preventing child abuse. Once people talk to us for a few minutes and get an understanding of our commitment to children, they are very supportive. Over and over we hear comments such as How can I help?; Its about time somebody is really doing something.; and I wish you guys were around when I was a kid.
On the other hand, we are not especially popular with those that have been incarcerated for their actions against children. Nor are we popular with those that prey on children. We have, do, and will continue to make enemies of those who harm children. |
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| How is BACA received by law enforcement agencies? |
BACA is well received by law enforcement. Our mission itself provides that there should be no question of who we are and what we are about. Even so, we take steps to remove any doubt.
Chapter representatives meet informally with Law Enforcement Organizations (LEO in biker terminology) in order to introduce BACA. Brochures and contact information are left with an open invitation for a meeting to answer any questions they may have. BACA also meets with law enforcement when we take a referral in a particular area in case residents may have concerns about a large group of bikers coming into their community. This is to assure the police that our mission is not to take vigilante action against perpetrators. This also makes it easier for the police to reassure the citizens that they have nothing to fear from us. Police may have a temporary presence in an area where we are riding to talk to anyone who may be concerned and also see how we operate. Many police agencies have escorted us to the homes of our children.
We notify the police when we will be doing a security detail requested by the family. This makes it easier for the police involved. In many ways we go out of our way to work cooperatively with the police. |
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| Does BACA support legislation that protects and helps children? |
| Due to our 501-C-3 status, we are prohibited from organizational lobbying efforts. As an organization we are unable to support legislation, but as voting individuals we are free to vote in accordance with our best judgment. Collectively we can (as voting individuals) have a great impact on current laws that fail to protect or enforce protection for our wounded children. We can, as individuals, support other organizations that facilitate the lobbying of bills to the Senate and Congress. |
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| How is BACA presently funded? |
| BACA is funded by donations from the public. We currently exchange items for donations such as hats, tee shirts, blankets, mugs, pins, etc. Some donations come from corporations, other charitable organizations such as Rotary Clubs, Lions, Eagles, Shriners, popular rock bands, celebrities, private business owners, and other motorcycle clubs and organizations. Many BACA members have made personal sacrifices, using their own funds to help the support the mission. |
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| How are BACA funds distributed and for what purposes? |
Presently, most funds are raised and used by individual chapters. It has long been the philosophy for BACA to use monies in the communities from which they are raised. The purposes of the funds are multifaceted. BACAs administrative costs include telephone services, Internet services, website, postage, office supplies, printing of brochures and other resources.
When we visit a child we also use our financial resources to provide him or her with BACA mementos such as a vest, patches, pins, a stuffed BACA bear, a blanket, and toys to give the child a sense of security and belonging. The vest has a small patch on the back that identifies the child as part of our BACA family.
BACA also finances a therapy assistance fund to support childrens therapy when they are left without resources. BACA contracts with licensed therapists known for their expertise in working with children and pays them a discounted rate for their services. In this way, BACA sacrifices, the therapist sacrifices, and the child benefits. The therapy assistance fund is also used to help finance the childrens basic needs, i.e. school supplies, camps, sports activities, hobbies, toiletries, clothes, beds, or whatever the child might need to feel more secure in their environment. Ten percent of individual chapter profits are sent to the National Board for national operating costs.
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| Who administers the day-to-day operations of BACA? |
| There are no paid BACA staff persons. BACA members freely and willingly volunteer their services. Each individual chapter and that chapters corresponding Executive Board of Directors govern the administration of the day-to-day operations. Depending on a particular members position in the chapter and subsequent responsibilities, any member might put in hours coordinating, organizing and executing events and rides, community awareness opportunities, and keeping track of our childrens progress in the court system and in the home environment. There are many positions within each BACA chapter with corresponding duties, including: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, BACA-Child Liaison, Road Captain, Sergeant-at-Arms, Security, Historian, Newsletter Editor, Merchandise Officer, Event Specialist, Website Coordinator, Follow-up Coordinator, and other positions deemed necessary to operate the chapter to fulfill the BACA mission. |
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| Does BACA have regular audits? |
| BACA was issued permanent recognition by the Internal Revenue Service in June of 1998 as a tax-exempt, charitable 501-C-3 organization. BACA is also classified as a public charity under sections 509-A-1, and 170-b-1-A-vi of the Internal Revenue Code. BACA qualifies to receive tax-deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. While BACA does not conduct audits on a yearly basis, due to our tax-exempt status our financial books are open for public examination. It is our estimation that less than ten percent of all donated monies are used for operational costs; while ninety percent goes directly to the children we proudly serve. Not one cent has ever or will ever be used to compensate anyone for his or her service in BACA. |
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| What are BACAs greatest financial needs? |
Our most pressing financial need is for the day-to-day operations. It has always been against our philosophy to charge dues within BACA, as we do not believe that it should cost anyone any money to stand up for a child. Most national organizations rely heavily on dues to fund their operations, but given that we are philosophically opposed to this means of generating operating money, we rely on the donations of generous people and volunteerism from our members.
We do have one major project presently that is a utopian dream for us, and that needs to be funded. We recently had seventy-five acres of pristine, beautiful land given to us by a generous Utahn. It is our desire to build a recreational and educational camp on this ground. We would like to operate all year long, invite families of child abuse survivors from around the country to come for a week or two. We would provide the children with recreational activities, and provide the parents with educational workshops, and a much needed rest from worry and stress. It would be our goal to send the parents home refreshed, and fortified with information and expertise to assist them in the healing journey ahead. This is the next big project that we have. |
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| What is the significance of the patch? |
According to JP Lilly, the founder of BACA, and Christy Sparti, the BACA National Art Director and originator of the BACA patch, the following areas hold significance:- White represents the innocence of the children.
- Red represents the blood of the children that has been spilled.
- The fist represents our opposition to child abuse.
- The skull and crossbones is the symbol to the death of child abuse.
- The chains represent our united organization.
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