Perpetrators of child abuse who try to intimidate victims and their families from testifying against them are getting a stern warning from dozens of motorcycle riders ó men and women ó who comprise Bikers Against Child Abuse. The international organization and the Pikes Peak chapter protects and supports victims of abuse during investigations and trials through engagement and empowerment.John Paul ìChiefî Lilly, a licensed clinical social worker, founded the organization in 1995. In his 20 years working with abused children, Lilly found that the victim is often too frightened to provide evidence for the case to be pursued, according to his profile on the organizationís website. The organization has grown to 39 states and seven countries.The Colorado chapter started in Pueblo and Fremont County in 2003, said Tilt, a founding member of the Colorado chapter and current vice president of the Pikes Peak regional chapter. He asked to be identified by his ìroad nameî as a security measure to prevent perpetrators from being able to track him and follow him to victimsí homes.The organization receives referrals from counselors or the victimís family, Tilt said. A few members of the organization will visit with the family to make sure they are a good fit for the organization and its services. If the situation is a fit, the group performs whatTilt called a ìlevel one intervention.îìThatís where we all show up en masse to ride to the childís house and make them a part of our biker family,î Tilt said. ìLevel 1 generates the bond, to make it clear that all these bikers have their back and they donít have to be afraid any more.î The child receives a BACA vest and patch to induct them into the organization, and is assigned two primary contact members who will be on call for that child 24 hours a day.Victims and their families learn about BACA from friends or referrals from social workers. A Peyton family who spoke anonymously to The New Falcon Herald said they learned about BACA from friends. ìWe had a friend who knew about the organization and said theyíd be able to help my daughter from being afraid at court appearances, so I gave them a call,î the mother said. ìThembeing there was amazing, and the support they gave us was great,î said the familyís daughter. ìI think anyone looking for help should definitely (call them). Itís a great program that helps empower you and makes you feel that you can do anything.î Usually, the moral support and emotionalempowerment is all that is needed in a childís case. In some cases, BACA members are called upon to provide some security for the family and victim from the perpetrator. ìWe do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are theonly obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle,î according to the BACA mission statement.ìPerpetrators are people who are not well,î Tilt said. ìThe way their mind works is not the same as everyone else. Theyíre aware that if the child testifies, theyíre going to jail. And, of course, in jail they (inmates) donít like pedophiles. Theyíll (perpetrators) threaten the families and do things that give us need to go and protect the family at their home.îìThe children have been exposed to too much violence already, and we donít want to continue that in their life. But if weíre standing there, and the perpetrator wants to harm the family and child, theyíre going to have to get through us. And weíre ready.î However, the membersí presence is usually enough to deter problems, he said.The organization has its greatest influence at the victimsí court appearances. ìCourt is intimidating and scary even for grownups, and for a child more so,î Tilt said. ìOn top of that situation, their perpetrator is sitting right there. If weíre in the courtroom, they can look at us and concentrate on us. They remember that weíre there for them. Regardless of the outcome, they told their story and they can move ahead with their life.îThe Peyton family said the organization was vital in providing support during their daughterís court appearance. ìWhen they went to court with her, they always had at least two people with her,î the mother said. ìThey even walked with her to the restroom and sat between her and the defendant. We didnít need them to come to the house but they volunteered to if we needed it.îA few Internet viral stories about BACA and its mission has helped the organization reach more children and families, Tilt said. ìLetting people know who we are and that weíre here has helped enormously,î he said. ìWe always need more members and interested parties. Being in BACA is a very big commitment. Youíre committing to being there for that child 24/7. Not everyone can do whatwe can do. When people realize what it takes, only maybe three in 10 can stick around. We require a lot of our members.î The national organization has measures in place to make sure members are not potential perpetrators or criminals. They do background checks, fingerprinting and ensure that no member is ever alone with a child.Seeing the turnaround in the childís life is why Tilt stays involved in the organization, despite the hard work and long hours. ìEvery time I see it, itís so cool that I want to keep doing it. Itís really not that hard for us to do. So why wouldnít we?îPotential members or families that need their services can reach the Colorado chapterat http://colorado.bacaworld.org or (800) 230-4852.
