BUACA: Bikers United Against Child Abuse - Australia

**Spook** · 5th February 2004, 12:14

In the USA the BACA, *(Bikers Against Child Abuse) BACA USA have been working successfully fighting against the abuse of American children for many years.
Now, in Australia, there is to be an inaugural meeting in mid Feb 2004, of those who are going to form the National BUACA in Australia, with the first Chapter to be formed in South Australia. The road ahead is not going to be easy, but we will prevail. Our basis is to raise awareness of Child Abuse in Australia, and to hold events and runs to raise funds to give to specific Charities and Organisations that fight child abuse. The current numbers of CHild Abuse in our country is Unacceptable. We intend to make a difference.

We hope to one day see every country have it's own Bikers United Against Child Abuse clubs and we invite our NZ Brothers to become involved in this great cause spreading world wide. Please be assured...We are not Vigilantes, and we are not an Outlaw club, and are recognised only by our Patch on the 'front' left hand side of our vest/jacket.

This is the 'only' indication of an Australian Member/Associate/Supporter. Our Membership is a mix of everyday people from Truckies to Lawyers, Social Workers to Police, anyone who rides a Bike and is interested in helping children have the life they deserve.

For more information to Form, Join, or Support a Chapter visit BUACA Australia or
SA BUACA

Across this planet we have millions of people who ride a motorcycle, imagine the united power we could have to wipe the tears from an abused child and replace it with a smile as Bikers United Against Child Abuse.
Cmon, Show Your Support!

Respects
Steve K.
SA BUACA Australia
SA_BUACA@hotmail.com
buaca2003@yahoo.com.au

**jrandom** · 5th February 2004, 13:17

Very noble and all, but I'm having difficulty figuring out how a bunch of middle-aged accountants riding around on Harleys are going to reduce child abuse.

Do the Unwashed Masses need such a gimmick before they'll consider supporting social organisations that may have some hope of affecting the behaviour of the criminal classes?

Maybe I just need to work on my cynicism.

**Ms Piggy** · 5th February 2004, 14:11

I guess anything that raises the general publics awareness of an issue is great! I'd be into it if something like that was started here...must be the social worker in me!

**Hitcher** · 5th February 2004, 14:24

What's next??

Bikers
Upholding
Greenhouse
Gas
Emission
Regulations

I always thought it was the preserve of "Mothers" to be opposed to society's ills, preferably with a naff acronym (MADD, MADGE, etc). It now looks like bikers want to get in on the act. Sigh...

**Big Dog** · 5th February 2004, 14:40

Originally Posted by Hitcher

What's next??

Bikers
Upholding
Greenhouse
Gas
Emission
Regulations

I always thought it was the preserve of "Mothers" to be opposed to society's ills, preferably with a naff acronym (MADD, MADGE, etc). It now looks like bikers want to get in on the act. Sigh...

In the eighties we had visits from
Fathers
Against
Drink
Driving.

But think of these
Bikers
Against
Drink
Driving.

Bikers
Against
Genetic
Engineering

**bungbung** · 5th February 2004, 14:53

B iker's
U lcers
R eally
G row,
E ating
R ubbish

**Spook** · 5th February 2004, 15:03

Originally Posted by jrandom

Very noble and all, but I'm having difficulty figuring out how a bunch of middle-aged accountants riding around on Harleys are going to reduce child abuse.

Do the Unwashed Masses need such a gimmick before they'll consider supporting social organisations that may have some hope of affecting the behaviour of the criminal classes?

Maybe I just need to work on my cynicism.

Thanks Jrandom, Im sure Ill cop it from all sides, and that's ok. Those that belittle us don't change where we're headed. We expect knockers, but just not from the serious motorcycle riders we encounter. It's a hot topic and many people will question the thought of Motorbike riders, of a range of ages on motorcycles in unification taking a stance against kiddies being assaulted in diverse ways in our communities. For eg: It took Braveheart ( a child abuse social organisation in Queensland) 4 long years to battle the QLD government to take on and fund their recommendations. Well recently the QLD Gov decided to fund all 110 recommendations, ..four years! In that time Braveheart was struggling to make an impact, but were in their own small way. BUACA is about helping those that need it. If I can organise a run with 200 or 3000 or 10,000 people in SA for eg and raise funds while we have our fun on the run, then hand that cheque over to a deserving struggling organisation that helps kids, then that's what we're going to do. The last MRA Toy Run at Xmas had over 26,000 motorcyclists turn up and donate for the kids of SA. Pretty good support for a single event. BUACA is intending to have more events during the year in the same light.
Our Governments are not placing priorities into the abused children in our country and our courts are letting people get away with abuse of kids.
If we change ONE child's life by our actions then we've made a difference.
Please,......re-evaluate your cynicism and wonder 'what if' you were a part of making a change,..as small as it may be. Heck, you only have to buy a BUACA Tshirt to show your support and you have acted.

Very Noble indeed. Volunteering to get involved is just that.

**Big Dog** · 5th February 2004, 15:06

How about this support group for red necks
F athers
U nder
C ontrol of the
K lan.

**Big Dog** · 5th February 2004, 15:19

Originally Posted by Spook

Please,......re-evaluate your cynicism and wonder 'what if' you were a part of making a change,..as small as it may be. Heck, you only have to buy a BUACA Tshirt to show your support and you have acted.

Very Noble indeed. Volunteering to get involved is just that.

You can have my support as soon as that support is going to New Zealand children. I beleive that there is no good done in sending aid overseas while there are still problems here in NZ.

Child abuse is probably the most noble cause around (defending those who can't defend themselves). Here in Nz we face two main problems.
Poor education on the topic means very few people see the signs, and that shame prevents people from coming forward if they do see them.
Fear has lear to over zealousness from those who are doing something, which often results in a witchhunt at the mere suggestion. This was the only I never became a teacher.

Because child abuse is so little understood a teacher can no longer give a child a hug when they hurt themselves in case it is misconstrued.
I'm going to stop there before I get to worked up and end up preaching to the choir. What would be involved in starting a chapter here?

**Spook** · 5th February 2004, 15:47

Originally Posted by Big Dog

You can have my support as soon as that support is going to New Zealand children. I beleive that there is no good done in sending aid overseas while there are still problems here in NZ.

Child abuse is probably the most noble cause around (defending those who can't defend themselves). Here in Nz we face two main problems.
Poor education on the topic means very few people see the signs, and that shame prevents people from coming forward if they do see them.
Fear has lear to over zealousness from those who are doing something, which often results in a witchhunt at the mere suggestion. This was the only I never became a teacher.

Because child abuse is so little understood a teacher can no longer give a child a hug when they hurt themselves in case it is misconstrued.
I'm going to stop there before I get to worked up and end up preaching to the choir. What would be involved in starting a chapter here?

We hope to one day see every country have it's own Bikers United Against Child Abuse clubs and we invite our NZ Brothers to become involved

You just said what I wanted to hear BigDog...a New Zealand BUACA.
So you take ownership, organise, form, and do it for your kids. Maybe your acronym experts can get you started NZBUACA? Has a nice ring to it....

To start a Chapter we'll email you, and I gather you are interested in forming a Chapter for NZ. Email me and Ill have one of our founders give you the info required to establish yourselves as, well, you need to work out NZBUACA? Get some people together and discuss. Believe me, it will snowball with support, so be prepared for that.

So, email me SA_BUACA@hotmail.com, and we'll go from there if that's what you want.

cheers and Respects
Spook

**Big Dog** · 5th February 2004, 15:55

BUACANZ can actually be said.

**Spook** · 5th February 2004, 16:02

Originally Posted by Big Dog

BUACANZ can actually be said.

Agreed.... Im speaking to people this afternoon, I'll reply to your email with a rundown of things that have to be covered and then you can decide.

nice one BigDog,...ya got my vote!

**Motu** · 5th February 2004, 16:20

Today a guy who beat his stepdaughter to death because she didn't want to go to school that day was sentenced - it's the tip of an iceberg that no one wants to look at...I sure avoid seeing or reading about such things,angry is a mere word.If you can help wake people up,go for it.

**Hitcher** · 5th February 2004, 16:48

While this is a good initiative and child abuse is a heinous crime, effective action comes down to individual responsibility and a belief in creating communities that care for themselves and for each other. You can't solve child abuse by buying a T-shirt, just like you can't solve world hunger by dialling an 0900 number, going to a "Live Aid" concert or giving $1 a day to some worthy cause. Taking responsibility means taking action and getting involved -- personally. You.

If riding around with a badge on makes you feel good, then do it by all means. But remember you are relying on somebody else to do the doing for you -- The "Hire a Hubby" (rent a conscience) approach to community service.

[Dismounts hobby horse]

**Big Dog** · 5th February 2004, 16:50

Originally Posted by Motu

If you can help wake people up,go for it.

Apathy is only half the problem, there is also finding homes for survivors, having places for mothers/fathers trying to escape (womans refuge do a very important job but wheres the mens refuge?), legal support for fathers who beleive their exes new man is abusing?

An organisation like this will never on their own stop the problem but it could make life easier / better for survivors.

The government does not do enough. At the moment a victim is offered 10 sessions of counselling to cure a lifetime of hurt. And sentences are way to short. Why is it that a recidivist child molester gets less time than manslaughter? Manslaughter was after all accidental, molestation was with intent.

Take a deep breath, 1....2.....3

Got to stop the lecturing