B.A.C.A. was founded by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who was a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor, and who taught part-time as faculty at Brigham Young University for seventeen years. He was in practice for over twenty years, most of which has been spent in the treatment of abused children. He became keenly aware that while the system was able to offer much in the way of helping 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 continued 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 clinically evident 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. He noted that children who feel safe 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 part of the child’s world.

In addition to becoming a presence in the life of wounded children, B.A.C.A. 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 most unique assets of B.A.C.A. 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 deceived. When a large group of bikers ride to a child’s home to support and honor that child, and the bikers tell that child that he/she does not need to be afraid 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 introduced into the B.A.C.A. family they are not helpless or powerless anymore.

B.A.C.A. 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. Our founder, 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 bring 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, Missouri, and Texas, and the rest is part of the B.A.C.A. history. What was started as an idea was actualized by the dedicated and heartfelt love of bikers across the country.

First and foremost, B.A.C.A. Members are bikers. We all share a common love of the open road on two wheels and the brotherhood and sisterhood that can only be found in the biker community. Professionally, members of B.A.C.A. come from all walks of life. There are professionals, blue collar, and everything in between. B.A.C.A. 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.

To become a full-patched B.A.C.A. 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 submit to a federal fingerprinted background check. They must attend monthly B.A.C.A. meetings, rides, court hearings, other B.A.C.A. events and ride with the B.A.C.A. chapter for one year “minimum”. They are then presented to the governing Board of Directors and must be unanimously voted in to become a Member.

All member applicants must submit to and pass a federal fingerprint background check. They must attend B.A.C.A. 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, ever.

Secondly, we have at least two Members present when meeting with children at all times. Not only does this give better protection against false accusations but it also gives our Members better insight and interpretations as to the ability to accurately assess the situation with the abused child. It also adds to the feeling of security for the abused child by having big friends around. Children feel the safety and strength of our numbers when multiple Members are present.

In order to counter the misconceptions, B.A.C.A. Chapters conduct and attend community events to meet with the public and answer questions that people may have. This not only introduces B.A.C.A. to the public to educate them about who 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 have also proven to be 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 generally very supportive. Over and over we hear comments such as “How can I help?; It’s 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 made, and will continue to make enemies of those who harm children.

Chapter representatives meet informally with Law Enforcement Organizations (LEO in biker terminology) in order to introduce B.A.C.A.. Brochures and contact information are left with an open invitation for a meeting to answer any questions they may have. B.A.C.A. 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.

Should it be necessary to implement a Level II, we will notify the police when we will be doing a security detail requested by the family as this makes it easier for the police involved. In many ways we go out of our way to work cooperatively with the police.

B.A.C.A. is funded by donations from the public. 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 B.A.C.A. Members have made personal sacrifices, using their own funds to help the support the Mission.

International Merchandise does not exchange merchandise to the general public. Please contact the chapter nearest to your location to inquire about merchandise availability. Thank you for your support.

When we visit a child we may also use our financial resources to provide him or her with B.A.C.A. mementos such as a vest, patches, pins, a stuffed B.A.C.A. bear or monkey, 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 B.A.C.A. family.

B.A.C.A. also finances a therapy assistance fund to support children’s therapy when they are left without resources. B.A.C.A. contracts with licensed therapists known for their expertise in working with children and pays them a discounted rate for their services. The therapy assistance fund is also used to help finance activities that will help empower the child to feel more secure in their environment. Examples are karate lessons, cheerleader camp etc. No one in B.A.C.A. is ever compensated for their efforts in B.A.C.A.. 100% of all monies donated to B.A.C.A. goes to support the Mission.

According to the founder of B.A.C.A., and Rockit, the B.A.C.A. International Trademark Specialist Officer and originator of the B.A.C.A. patch, the following areas hold significance:

• Red represents the “blood shed by wounded children”
• White represents the “innocence of the children”
• Black represents the “dark times the child goes through”
• The fist represents “our commitment to stop child abuse”
• The skull and crossbones is the symbol to the “death to child abuse”
• The chains represent “our united organization”