Bikers Against Child Abuse provides support for victims, families

With an increasing number of child abuse cases being reported annually in Missouri -- more than 50,000 in 2008 -- a leader of the local Bikers Against Child Abuse chapter says its mission to empower children and keep them safe has become more important.

Active in Cape Girardeau since mid-2005, the local BACA chapter has 12 members. Since its formation in Cape Girardeau, members assisted children in up to 20 abuse cases.

In 2008, according to statistics from Missouri Department of Social Services, there were 50,565 reports of child abuse and neglect. Of the number of cases reported, more than 75,000 children were affected.

Upon receiving a referral from a law enforcement agency or the Division of Family Services, BACA members will schedule their first ride to the abused child's home. At the first visit, members present the child with a biker's vest of his own and a stuffed toy to let the victim know he's protected and part of the BACA family.

"Two members are assigned to a child, and [the child] can call those two people 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Samson, president of the local BACA chapter. "If they want to talk about school, how they're scared, whatever, we're there."

All members are assigned a road name to protect themselves and their families from the perpetrators.

Last year, the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence saw more than 600 abused children in the organization's 10-county coverage area.

At least half of the cases were out of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry and Scott counties, which together represent 308 of the child abuse cases reported in 2009.

They also often report cases to BACA and ask for its support.

"We have seen a steady increase in our caseload over the years, and we don't know that that is necessarily an increase in the acts of abuse, but possibly an increase in reporting," said Kendra Eads, Child Advocacy Center director for SEMO-NASV. "We can attribute this at least in part to the prevention education program our agency has in place."

NASV's education initiative, The Green Bear Program, began in 2002.

Program coordinator Leasa Stone and her volunteers visit area schools and talk with children about ways to stay safe and what to do if something happens to their body that isn't all right with them.

The program also includes tips on Internet safety and appropriate dating practices for older children.

"Educating the kids on how to stay safe and what to do if something has happened to them, as well as educating the teachers and other professionals on signs of abuse and how to report it, has definitely increased the number of cases that are reported," Eads said.

As the number of reported abuse cases increases, the more support, such as accompanying a child to a court hearing, BACA members end up offering.

Samson said since he has been a part of BACA, he has helped bring children to their court hearing around eight times.

"I know statistically it seems child abuse is on the decline a little bit, but around here it seems like it has picked up," Samson said. "You hear more about it every day."

A team of bikers escorts the child and their family to the court house and stays with them the entire hearing. Samson said when a child needs to testify, she can look to the gallery, see the BACA team, and know she's protected.

"If she moves or he moves, we go with them," Samson said. "We don't condone the use of violence in any form, but if we're the only obstacle between that child and further abuse, we'll be that obstacle."

BACA members offer physical as well as emotional support to children. Samson said he remembers teaming with other members and offering a family 24-hour surveillance outside their home for an entire week, because the victim's abuser was out on bond.

"If the person is out on bail and the child doesn't feel safe in the house, we'll stand watch outside," Samson said. "We've done cases where the next morning the mother comes out and says that that's the first time in weeks the kids had slept or they'd gotten a good night's sleep."

The local BACA chapter will have a number of child abuse cases going to court soon, including one in Scott County. However, Samson couldn't release details about the case.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635