Now, imagine Tank and 10 more men who look like him riding up to the front door of a 6-year-old girl who has possibly been molested by a neighbor or family member.
One would think the sight would scare the child even more. But Tank insists that when the Bikers Against Child Abuse arrive on the scene, the protection and welfare of the abused child is their only concern.
"We are basically there to give the child support and lift their morale," said Tank, who according to the organization's bylaws can only use his biker name. "We come around as bikers to put that child in a state of mind they have someone they can trust. And also leave a message to the perpetrator to leave our new friend alone."
Tank is an "enforcer" with the West Route 66 Oklahoma chapter in Weatherford. There are 10 chapters in Oklahoma and 53 chapters in 19 states.
There is no chapter in Jackson County. The closest one is in Lawton.
BACA was first organized in 1995 in Utah by licensed child therapist J.P. Lilly to help young victims of abuse. Since then they have made fans out of law enforcement agencies, social workers and parents.
"Through my events, the police encourage our work," said Tank, who attended the Investigation and Prosecution of Child Sexual Abuse seminar last week. "We have to be contacted by a parent, DHS or the police in order to go over there."
The reaction from the Jackson County Child Protection Team seemed to back up Tank's statement. When he entered the seminar, members of the team -- including Capt. Mike Turner of the Altus Police Department and Belinda Malondae with the Department of Human Services -- had only positive things to say about the group. That .
According to the group's mission statement, "Bikers Against Child Abuse exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force. ... However, if the circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle."
According to Tank, violence is rarely needed because the possible abusers usually go somewhere else when they show up to a child's home. That even includes a parent or family member that may still be living the abused child.
"The response of the perpetrator is to basically turn the other way," Tank said. "You have eight to 10 guys on bikes. They do not want to say anything to them. They turn tail and run."
While the exterior of the bikers is one of menacing violence, members of BACA have shown they regular people.
Many have very personal reasons for joining. Tank has been a member of the organization for 2 1/2 years and joined to fight his own past pain.
"The reason I joined, I have some childhood experiences myself," Tank said. "I wish there had been something like this when I was growing up."
Reach Michael Kinney at sports@altustimes.com
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