Every year, approximately 700,000 children in the United States alone are victims of child abuse and/or neglect. Even when these children are able to get out of these situations and get into a safe and proper home environment, the struggles of their past are still there to haunt them.
A particular biker gang has their hearts set on helping these struggling children. The Bikers Against Child Abuse consists of male and female volunteers who provide their emotional support to those dealing with abuse from a parent or other adult perpetrator in the home environment. Those apart of the non-profit group might wear sunglasses, heavy boots, and leather jackets, but their tender personalities make them the perfect match for victims of abuse.
There are many different services the bikers have been providing over the past 20 years in different countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Services range from arriving to a child’s home when they have trouble sleeping at night due to nightmares or flashbacks to helping escort a child to the stand when they must give a testimony about their abuse in court.
Before receiving free service from the bikers, an authorized agency must refer children they deem a good fit for the nonprofit’s services.
“Following this initial contact, the child is given the name and number of two B.A.C.A. Members residing geographically closest to them, who then become the child’s primary contacts,” explains the Biker Against Child Abuse website.
Once the children are linked to members of the biker group, they can contact them anytime they need emotional support, even if they’re already out of their abusive situation.
Not only are children feeling safer and less distressed knowing they can rely on one of their leathered, motorcycle-riding pals but so do are the guardians, caretakers, and other people associated with the children.
“We’d do anything to keep him safe, but he doesn’t know that. They make him feel safe, and they make him feel like we are safe,” said the grandfather of a boy who’s currently receiving services from the Bikers Against Child Abuse.
“Until we got involved with B.A.C.A., we just 100% felt lost and alone,” he continued. “It’s just such a relief that there’s someone else on his side.”
Hopefully the children protected by the organization will not only feel safer following a past of abuse, but the tougher appearance of the friendly bikers will encourage them to stay strong. The children, too, are even given a cool B.A.C.A. vest of their own!
Discover more about the biker group below.
