Bikers Against Child Abuse Will Rally in Austin Saturday

Hundreds of bikers dedicated to protecting and empowering victims of child abuse will rally in Austin this weekend in support of a great cause.

Bikers Against Child Abuse chapters from across the state will gather at Cowboy Harley-Davidson (10917 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin) on Saturday, September 26 as part of the group's annual Breaking the Chains event.

Tickets are $20 at the gate and include entry into the rally, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, and two free beers. (Additional beers will cost $2 each). You must be 21 or over and have a valid ID to attend. The event is open from 11 AM to 4 PM, and all proceeds go to fund the 2016 B.A.C.A. Texas Kids Campout.

A member of the Five Hills Chapter of B.A.C.A. (road name "Bling Bling") based in Copperas Cove, stopped by the Townsquare studio Wednesday to talk about the rally and what the group does for local kids.

“This is actually our first rally,” she said. “We're going to have all kinds of events: a bikini dunking booth, vendors, fire dancers, a live auction, and great food.”

“Of course there's going to be beer too,” she added. “It is a biker event.”

Bling Bling said the group usually has a ride, but decided on a rally this year after noticing an outpouring of community support for B.A.C.A.'s cause.

“We're a group of bikers organized to empower children who've been abused,” she said. “We empower them to not feel afraid so they can do what they have to do – get on the stand, tell their story, and get on with their lives.”

B.A.C.A. achieves this by visiting child abuse victims at home and offering them protection from their abusers, as well as emotional support. Members often accompany children to court and parole hearings, visit them at home and school, and physically guard children from their attackers at times when police cannot. They also maintain a therapy fund for children who don't qualify for such funds from social services.

Bling Bling, a former crisis counselor with Central Texas Youth Services, said she was inspired to join B.A.C.A. after referring a client she believed would benefit from the group's services.

“I was invited to an empowerment session, saw the process, and was hooked,” she said.

She said the group works closely with law enforcement, district attorney offices, and victim services, and obtains most referrals through them, and stressed that B.A.C.A. is a volunteer organization with no paid positions.

If you can't make it to the rally but would like to support the cause, donation arrangements can be made by calling 1-866-71-ABUSE or visiting bacaworld.org. All donations are tax deductible. Proceeds from the rally and donations will fund a safe summer camp for survivors of abuse.

"We have a camp every year for our B.A.C.A. kids and their families," Bling Bling said.. "We secure the area so that the kids can just be kids and focus on having fun and not looking over their shoulders.  Everything is provided for the families: food, tents, and any other needs that may come up. There are a ton on activities for them to do like fishing, therapy horses, dunk tanks, swimming, slip and slides, arts and crafts, and much more. The money raised from this event is going towards the camp out 100%. That is why it is so very important. In 2015 we had 962 or 963 people attend. Next year will be even bigger."

If you or someone you know is in need of B.A.C.A.'s services, you can reach out to the Five Hills Chapter at 1-877-381-1664, www.texas.bacaworld.org, or by emailing bacafivehillschapter@ureach.com.