ST. GEORGE — The recent groundbreaking for the Washington County Children’s Justice Center expansion drew a large crowd of supporters that included civic leaders, law enforcement officers and others, as well as a group that may not be so readily associated with the fight against child abuse – bikers.
Clad in jeans, leather vests and jackets, six members of the local chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse, or BACA, attended the groundbreaking to show their support for an agency that, like them, works to help child abuse victims overcome the trauma and fear that comes in the wake of such a horrific event.
“Shots,” one of the attending BACA members, was approached by the media and asked about the group’s purpose.
“We make sure they (the kids) don’t have to go at it alone,” Shots said. “If a child is scared, that is how we can help them.”
It’s not the first time Shots has spoken with St. George News as he shared details about the nonprofit in 2019.
BACA was founded by child psychologist Joseph Paul “Chief” Lily in Provo in 1995. He gathered a group of his biker friends to spend a day playing with a child abuse victim who was scared to go anywhere. Shots said the time they spent together helped quell the child’s fears.
“When they left that night, the kid got on his bicycle and rode all over town, and the mom said it was the first time in weeks or months since the abuse happened that the kid was actually not scared,” Shots said. “So he (Lily) at that point said, ‘We’ve got something here. We did something that no one else can do.’ And that’s how it all started.”
BACA has since spread to 48 states and 18 countries with the goal of providing safety, comfort, support and assistance to children who have been victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
Children who are referred to BACA have their cases vetted, and if determined to be valid, the bikers proceed with what is called a “Level 1” intervention. This involves the entire local club going to the child’s home to meet them and assigning two club members to act as primary contacts.
That child becomes “a part of the family,” Shots said.
From there, the child is given their own “cut,” or vest adorned with a BACA patch, and a “road name,” a nickname similar to other club members, to protect their identity.
In some cases, such as when the perpetrator of the child abuse is considered a threat to the child and their family, BACA will conduct a “Level 2” intervention. This involves club members going to the child’s home and becoming a shield as the bikers keep a physical presence there for as long as needed.
One of the longest Level 2 interventions BACA conducted locally lasted for 14 days until the threat passed, Shots said.
Fortunately, there have never been any altercations between the accused abusers and BACA, Shots added. If they ever tried to get to the child’s home, they likely kept on driving after seeing the bikers there, he said.
“We have yet to see a perp show up,” Shot said.
However, people should always call the police first and BACA second, he added.
BACA members will also attend court hearings with the child to show their support there so they hopefully aren’t intimidated by the presence of their abuser or their family members who may attempt to stare them down.
In addition to their goal of helping children live without fear, BACA aids in various fundraisers and charities like KONY’s Coins for Kids and the Washington County Children’s Justice Center.
Though BACA has no direct ties or relationship with the justice center, Kristy Pike, the center’s director, told St. George News she appreciates their efforts and help in fundraising.
As for BACA members themselves, they are vetted by the club to see if they are a good fit and must also pass an FBI background check. All members are volunteers.
Shots said he initially joined the group because they seemed like a good sort to ride with. As he became more involved with the group’s mission, though — it’s a choice he said he’ll never regret.
“I know I was a part of piercing (a child’s) darkness with light,” he said.
Contact the St. George chapter of BACA at 435-673-2564 and the Color Country (Cedar City) chapter at 435-559-4505. Additional information can be found on the Bikers Against Child Abuse website.
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