Conclusion

Child abuse is an epidemic that many people look over. However it is very common in the U.S and internationally. In the U.S., it is reported that 1 in 10 children suffer from child maltreatment while 1 in 16 children suffer from sexual abuse. It is also reported that 1 in 10 children are witnesses of family violence. ("Child Abuse Facts") These numbers show that child abuse is very common but very overlooked. Although there are many orginizations that try and help these children, the majority of the public still is unaware of the amount of abuse that happens. The number of reported abused children in the Unites States every year is about 2.9 million. 80% of people to abuse the child comes from the parents. This tell us that the amount of children that are being abused and the high amount of abuse that comes from the parents is a very high amount that can so easily be neglected. It is common to think that the parents should be the ones to report the abuse and not be the perpatrators however according to this data it is evident that that is not the case. In the case that the parents are the ones being the perpatrars it is easy for the child to not feel safe even after being taken out of their situation. The psychological affects of child abuse are also very common and serious. The effects depend on what type of abuse that occured to the child however they are all still very common. Psychological affects consist of poor mental and emotional health as well as cognitive difficulties. Depression, anxiety, and grade repition are examples of these. (Long-Term Consequences...") Abused children also suffer from behavioral consequences. These consequences are the more common ones associated with child abuse like alcohol and drug abuse and abusive behavior. Abusers usually have suffered from abuse when they were younger. All of this information and data shows that abuse has both instant and long lasting consequences.

BACAs work with abused children is similar to a big little program. The abused child is assigned two BACA members to contact whenever they feel unsafe. The BACA members can give the children rides on the motorcycles and go with them to court. BACAs work is important because it gives the children a sence of safety that they might not get sometimes. It gives them the feeling that they always have someone to count on. Sometimes when going through emotional situations, it is nice to talk to someone and open up to someone that you just met. BACA members provide that mentorship to make the children feel that they can get over what they went through stronger and braver than before. The work BACA does is effective because the children are given the extra comfort that there is always someone there for them. It is also effective because if the children can get that idea that they are stronger then their abuser and can accept what has happened to them but still move on, than there is a higher chance that they wont suffer as much from the psychological and behavorial effects.

By doing the work BACA does, they are fighting the common stereotypes that are associated with motorcycle clubs. Hollywood usually portrays outlaw motorcycle clubs but does not differ the difference between outlaw clubs and regular ones. For example, SOA is an outlaw club because they are involved in different illegal services like gun traffiking. BACA on the other hand is not an outlaw club because they are not involved in illegal work. Instead they do social work that is very beneficial. BACA and SOA are very similar in the sence of persona, rules and loyalty, and club setup. Both of these clubs have a biker persona that consists of leather jackets, a logo printed on them, and motorcycles. Both clubs also have rules about being in the club. In SOA once you get kicked out of the of the club you arent allowed to wear the logo. In BACA you cant use any form of violence unless provocked and you have to help a member. Also in BACA you have to ride with the club for a year before being able to be assigned a child to take care of. Both BACA and SOA members have a high level of loyalty to their clubs. In BACA you only use viloence if you have to protect a member because of loyalty towards the club. In SOA if you go against one of the rules then there are severe consequences. Both clubs have consequences but because SOA is an outlaw club, their consequences are a little more violent. For example, one of the ex-members still had the logo tatooed on his back and all of the other members burnt it off. I am not sure if this happenes in real life outlaw clubs but there could always be a possibility. However, it is evident that outlaw clubs are more violent. BACA and SOA have similar club set ups as well. SOA and BACA both have a board of members that includes a president, vice president, etc. In SOA, all of the members play a role on the board because it is smaller. BACA on the otherhand is an international organization so their setup is similar but on a bigger scale. For example, they have an international board with a president, vice president, etc. but they also have state boards and country boards.

BACA's organization uses the stereotypical motorcyle persona to help abused children find their inner strength as well as go against the common misconceptions gained from Hollywoods portrayal of outlaw clubs. They show that not all clubs are outlaw clubs and some actually help people by doing social work or holding events. BACA's work makes them differ from outlaw clubs. Although there are similarities, they are still not considered an outlaw club because they are not involved in illegal work. BACA's work with abused children helps the children by making them believe in themselves and learn that they are stronger that they think. They give the children something similar to a "mentor" or "big little" program that they can always count on.