Bikers show a softer side by using their tough exterior to help empower and protect abused children via Bikers Against Child Abuse, an international non-profit organization hoping to break the chain of child abuse. Mike “Boz” Goetzman, president of the Baton Rouge chapter, said they’re currently seeking members to start a chapter in Picayune to help children in the community.

The organization’s mission states, “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.”

Goetzman, who’s been with the organization for 10 years, said it’s vital to provide abused children with a positive role model at an early age in order to break the chain of abuse.

“Most kids, when abused, especially when they’re younger, believe it’s their fault and they think they’re less than human and we show them that that’s not true,” Goetzman said. “A lot of times, abused children grow up to be abusers and it’s our job to empower these children and let them know that that is wrong.”

In order to become a member of BACA, applicants must be at least 18-years-old and own a motorcycle. The process can take up to a year, Goetzman said.

“They have to undergo training and a background check to work on those cases. The security of all our kids is important,” Goetzman added.

The children, all under 18, are referred to the organization via parents, advocacy groups and the Department of Human Services.

When the club’s members visit the child’s home, they arrive in a motorcade of roaring motorcycles. Goetzman said their biker persona helps them connect with the kids.

“We’re big old burly, goofy guys and we can act silly. We use that for the kids,” Goetzman said.

They give the children each a motorcycle vest, a nametag and a biker road name.

Goetzman said their biker persona also helps scare away the child’s perpetrator, who abuses children “because they think they can get away with it.”

“But when you’ve got a bunch of us standing around protecting a child, they’re going to go away. We’re not a vigilante group and we don’t search for a perpetrator, but we will protect that child if it means standing in front of them and taking a bullet for them,” Goetzman said.

Turbo, a Picayune resident and prospective member of the chapter, said the Picayune chapter would not only service Picayune, but the Mississippi Gulf Coast and parts of Louisiana.

“In order to create a chapter, we need to have a minimum of five individuals to take a position on the board,” Turbo said.

Goetzman said they hope to have a chapter up and running between six months to a year in Picayune to better reach children in this area.

“Some of our members are from the Picayune area and we’re hoping to get some more people that are dedicated there to help empower kids in southern Mississippi,” Goetzman said.

For more information about BACA, visit www.bacaworld.org, email the Baton Rouge chapter at Capitolbaca@yahoo.com or call the chapter helpline at 225-247-9889.