Sometimes the cavalry doesn't always arrive on horseback to save the day. Sometimes they aren't riding in a tank, and sometimes, they aren't even wearing combat gear.
Sometimes they arrive on motorcycles and go by names like Jarhead, Nugget and Tink, and the day they save is one less day in which an abused child must feel afraid or alone.
Jarhead, Nugget and Tink are members of BACA -- Bikers Against Child Abuse. BACA was founded by John Paul "Chief" Lilly, a licensed clinical social worker, a registered play therapist/supervisor, and part-time faculty member at Brigham Young University. Lilly felt the social services system, while good, simply couldn't fill in all the cracks. Abuse victims still felt unsafe and alone in the absence of law enforcement officials, who simply couldn't provide around-the-clock protection for every abused child.
Lilly formed BACA as a means to support and protect children from further abuse. BACA members work in conjunction with law enforcement and relatives or guardians, and provide protection through their presence at the child's home, school visits (if allowed) and at court hearings.
Deborah "Nugget" Taylor and Liz "Tink" Rich are both employees at Redstone. Taylor is a country program director at Security Assistance Command while Rich is a crew member at Burger King. Jarhead, who prefers not to give his full name, is a retired Marine wounded warrior who served in Iraq. All three say they devote their time to BACA because of the good work the organization does for abused children, not only here, but overseas as well.
"It's a great way to empower a child that's been abused," said Taylor, who has been involved with BACA for two years. "We want to do whatever we can to make them feel safe."
Safety is paramount to Jarhead, who cited some frightening statistics about abuse: more than 1 million children are abused in the United States yearly. One in three victims is female; one in five (some sources say seven) is male, all under the age of 18.
"Children are more likely to disclose abuse, and to tell the truth about their abuse if they feel safe," he said.
The safety provided by BACA members is free, but membership in the club is not easy to obtain. All potential members must be at least 18, and able to pass a rigorous criminal background check. Once that step is completed, they are monitored for one year, and are required to attend monthly BACA meetings, rides, court hearings and other BACA events before they can serve as a contact person for a child. They must also have access to a motorcycle.
The club doesn't charge dues so that members can donate their time and resources to other worthy organizations. They regularly participate in fund-raisers for Muscular Dystrophy Association, Save The Ta-Tas, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Katelynn Stinnett Ride.
"Anything for the kids," said Rich, who recently collected a gallon of can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.
The club has chapters in Huntsville, Decatur, Cullman, Mobile, and is starting one in the Gadsden area. Every BACA chapter has access to a licensed mental health professional, who conducts biannual trainings for the members on such issues as childhood trauma, the effects of abuse on children, effective means of treating childhood abuse, biker conduct with the children and other relevant topics pertinent to their mission.
They assist only families who request their intervention, and every case is verified through police reports, legal documents and other avenues before the group offers its assistance.
"Once contact is made, we are that child's family," said Jarhead, himself the father of a young son. "And we want to let these children know that not everyone in your life will hurt you."
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