collaborative empowerment: biker up with bikers · pdf filedr. cheryl sawyer university of...
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Cheryl Sawyer
University of Houston Clear Lake
Presented with
TEXAS Members of Bikers Against Abuse
Collaborative Empowerment:
Biker Up with
Bikers Against Child Abuse
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live.
We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children.
We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence.
We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner,
however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.
Founded by John Paul “Chief” Lilly in 1995,
Utah
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor
Part-Time faculty at Brigham Young University
Began with the adoption of an eight year old
boy into the biker community. Results were
positive and swift.
BACA provides a feeling of safety for the child
Supports the child with a “biker family”
Reduces child’s feelings of helpless or powerless
Empowers the child to tell the truth
BACA funds therapy when not offered
BACA attends court hearings as supporters
Child will have familiar faces in the room
Child feels safe from perpetrator
BACA empowers the child…
BACA is not a vigilante group
Does not hunt down perpetrators
Does not advocate revenge
Does not “threaten” or “get even” with perp
BACA works in conjunction with
Local law enforcement
Local court houses
Child Protective Services
Child Advocates
BACA’s relationship with the community
Abuse must first be
reported to law
enforcement and CPS
Child’s family or current
guardian must approve
of involvement
Child will benefit from
BACA involvement
Case will be reviewed for
validity
Referrals are accepted from
Counselors
Children’s Advocacy
Centers
Youth Services
Court Appointed Special
Advocates, CASA
Child Protective Services
Law Enforcement
District Attorney’s office
Families
Clergy
Referrals to BACA
The adoption may be held either at home,
or agreed upon location
Only family and BACA members will be
present
Child may be given a biker vest and other
gifts
Child chooses, or may be given a road
name
Child may be given a BACA bear, hugged
with love from BACA family
BACA members may offer the “fear
release” balloon
When BACA adopts a child…
BACA will assign two,
patched primary contacts
Contacts schedule visits
between BACA and child
Minimum of two members
visit child
Primaries will give children
their phone number—and
it works 24-7
Primaries always have
parent permission to talk
with/visit children
Primary Contacts
Child gets to know
primaries and other new
family members
Members attend the
court hearing at the
child's request
Members act on levels of
intervention
BACA Process
Come from all walks of life
Must pass state and federal background checks
Child advocates with big hearts
Volunteers who give as much as they can
Only discriminate against one type:
When Our Kids feel afraid,
BACA responds…
BACA members attend at request of child
No interaction with perpetrator
Support child during testimony
Ensure child welfare
When Should a Counselor Refer?
When an abused child is afraid of the
perpetrator
Nightmares, daydreams, flashbacks, withdrawn,
afraid of men or women
When the child has an upcoming court hearing
and is afraid to testify
When a child needs an additional support
system
What counselors can expect from
BACA
Contact must be initiated by the family
BACA is voluntary, not mandated
BACA does not become involved in the details of cases
BACA focuses on the needs of the child only
BACA will maintain a close relationship with the counselor and report any abnormalities
BACA maintains confidentiality
BACA may attend school functions with permission
BACA members will visit a child only with caregiver consent.
High Plains Chapter-Amarillo
Austin Chapter-Pflugerville
Brazos Valley Chapter-Brenham
Buffalo Creek Chapter-Waxahachie
Caddo Creek Chapter-Quinlan
Cypress Chapter-Katy
CrossTimbers Chapter-Weatherford
Dallas Chapter-Plano
Five Hills Chapter-Copperas Cove
Fort Worth Chapter-Arlington
Gulf Coast Chapter-Santa Fe
Rio Grande Valley CID-McAllen
Sherman Chapter—Sherman
Woodbine Chapter-Longview
Highland Lakes--Burnet
Hill Country Chapter- Fredricksburg
Houston Chapter-Baytown
Lost Pines Chapter-Smithville
Lubbock Chapter-Lubbock
Lufkin Chapter-Lufkin
Big Springs Chapter-Big Springs
Padre Island--CorpusChristi
Rolling Plains Chapter-Sweetwater
San Antonio Chapter-San Antonio
Sam Bass- Georgetown
Seven Coves- Conroe
Texarkana Chapter-Texarkana
Waco Chapter- Waco
Wichita Falls Chapter-Wichita Falls
Texas Contacts
www.bacaworld.org
White = lost innocence of
the children
Black = Dark times the
child goes through
Red = Children’s blood
that has been shed
Fist = Our opposition to
child abuse
Jolly Roger = “Death” to
child abuse
Chains = BACA’s united
organization
And now, a word from our sponsor…
Blessed are the children…