BACA chapter to help locally

One of the darker realities of life is that some children live in fear due to physical or emotional abuse. Though recently formed in Lovell, the Devil's Canyon Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) is working to provide these victims strength and a voice throughout the Big Horn Basin.

Following a short video presentation at the H.O.P.E. Agency March 16, Chapter Secretary Vito and President Izz spoke about what BACA does and the services they provide. Vito noted no BACA members use their real names, to protect the identity of themselves and the children they help.

As to how the kids find BACA, Vito asked H.O.P.E. Agency to provide fliers to families and refer them. Families can also contact the BACA Helpline.

Even in families that have multiple children with only one who's suffered abuse, BACA adopts all of the kids; they each receive a custom denim vest with their chosen "biker name."

One condition, Vito said, is the perpetrator cannot be living in the home. "We don't deal with perps. It's not our job. We're not into drama moms, drama dads or drama grandmas. We're empowering children. We're there for the child. There are other agencies that can help moms, dads, grandmas and all that."

When a referral comes in, it goes to the BACA child liaison and president. Vito emphasized people might know of abuse, but not until it's been reported can they step in, "because we're not renegades."

After the initial call, the liaison, president and a security officer contact the legal guardian of the child. While the liaison is visiting, the security officer is scoping out the house, learning where doors and windows are and where the house is located. This is done for security of the child as well as the officer.

Information is returned to the chapter executive board, which determines where the case is viable. If it is, the liaison sets up a Level 1 event. Any available members ride to the child's home, and present him or her with the custom denim vest prepared with the child's chosen road name and patches. At this point, two primary contacts have already been assigned to the child; these primaries can be called any time, any day.

Even if the kid hears a noise outside the house at 2 a.m. and calls, primaries will make the journey. If it just happens to be a tree branch or animal, it doesn't make a difference, because they make a commitment to be there.

Though the chapter formed in Lovell, Vito noted they cover a 100-mile radius and there are already members in Cody, Powell and the Worland area. Any of these members can respond to a call. Ideally, he said, it would be good to have local members.

"We will show up on a motorcycle, because we said we would. We say what we do and we do what we say," Vito said.

After introductions, kids receive stuffed bears that are hugged by BACA members. This is to "fill them with love," Vito said, and they are available to refill them if needed. Members also provide trinkets for children to put on their vests.

If it's cleared with the legal guardian, a child might even be taken on a short ride.

"What we try to establish with the children is trust," Vito said, "because that's been stolen. A person they were supposed to be able to trust, they can't, so we have got to gain that trust."

Vito noted BACA works with local law enforcement agencies, to ensure the public is aware of their presence and doesn't get the wrong impression such as mistaking them for Hell's Angels.

After the initial meeting, primaries continue with follow-ups to make sure everything is going well. While the service BACA provides might begin at a young age, Vito said kids are with the program until they are 18 years old.

"You've got to have a passion for this," Vito said. "It's not a nine-to-five job. It's not for the paycheck. None of us are paid. Out of 8,000 people, not a single person is paid in this organization. We do this for whatever reason we do it for, but you've got to have a passion for it."

Beyond the Level 1 events, Level 2 might involve staying outside 24/7 for as long as a child needs to feel safe. While there are only eight members of the new chapter, Vito noted BACA is over 8,000 strong and members will provide watch relief if needed, no matter how long it takes for a child to no longer feel fear.

A Level 3 happens when a perpetrator will not leave a child alone, harassing them at home, at school, wherever they are. The BACA president will put together a letter stating the organization's intent to be an obstacle between the child and the perp.

At Level 4, BACA does neighborhood awareness of the situation.

Chapter President Izz added BACA also provides support to children when they have to go to court. While some judges might not let the bikers sit in the courtroom, Izz noted their presence alone could be enough to let the kids know they're safe and empower them to testify. He spoke of a family in which the child gave him hugs whenever they met, and Izz reassured him and gave him strength to say what he needed before the judge.

"That's what got me to stay with this. There's a bunch of stuff going on. Paperwork and everything we need to do, and it gets old, it gets boring, it gets you down. But, when you have something like that happen to you it makes it worthwhile."

Vito said BACA is not about vigilante justice, and bikers are not just going to grab people and teach them a lesson. He knows in small towns people might not want everyone knowing their business, "but what's the alternative? What's going to happen to this poor kid? This kid has got to get empowered. This kid's got to know that somebody out there will have their back, and we'll be that somebody."

Those who know a family who could use BACA's help can refer them to the Helpine, (307) 254-9652.