BUACA 2013

AN INTRODUCTION TO BIKERS UNITED AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (BUACA)

CONTENTS
Who is Bikers United Against Child Abuse (BUACA)? ......................................................................................... 2 What do Bikers United Against Child Abuse (BUACA) do?................................................................................ 3 What is Child Abuse ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 How bad is child abuse in Australia? .......................................................................................................................... 4 What can we do to help prevent child abuse? ........................................................................................................ 5 Merchandise.......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Contact Information .......................................................................................................................................................... 7

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BUACA 2013

WHO IS BIKERS UNITED AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (BUACA)?

Bikers United Against Child Abuse (BUACA) is a child support oriented not for profit organization. It was founded in 2001 by Pete Geary in Brisbane. Pete realized the need to assist Australias children and raise awareness of their plight. BUACA is made up of every day ordinary people who do extraordinary things in their community and through out Australia. These people are mothers, fathers, uncles, aunties, grandparents, daughters and sons and come from all walks of life. Members can be bankers, office workers, construction workers, teachers nurses the list goes on. As long as you have a passion for helping Australias children there will be a place for you in this club.

There are 3 roles someone can have in BUACA they are: Full Member:

A full member must have access to a registered motorbike and a current motorbike license. They must also pass a working with childrens check and have no offenses at all relating to children. Full members are entitled to wear a member patch and have voting rights. Constituent member:

A Constituent member is a non riding Full Member. Constituent members only have the right to vote after 2 years in the role. Both Full and constituent members must abide by the BUACA code of conduct at all times whilst on BUACA business or representing the club. Support member:

A support member can be anyone who has the ability to help out and volunteer with BUACA. Support members are valuable and can help with stalls, runs and organization. A Support member has the right to wear a support member patch but cannot have any voting rights.

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WHAT DO BIKERS UNITED AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (BUACA) DO?

BUACA exists to help empower children to not be afraid of the world they live in. They do this by raising funds for victims who have limited resources to ensure they get the right level of counseling and medical assistance. BUACA also support children who have been abused to face their perpetrators at court or other intimidating events that are associated with disclosure. This is done by members accompanying the victim and family to such events where they must face their abusers. BUACA also host events in their local communities and Australia wide to raise the awareness of child abuse.. BUACA also does buddy runs with victims of child abuse and their family. Buddy runs are an opportunity for the kids and family to have a break. Usually the child or children are taken on the motorbikes to a destination then there is a BBQ or picnic for the kid/s where BUACA members and support members will play sports games and generally just hang out with the kids and give them some gifts. This shows the child or children that there are people out there who are their friends and will look out for them it builds trust and valuable relationships.

Member Nev with a BUACA buddy

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WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE

The Term Child Abuse covers many areas these being: Psychological Abuse is rejecting, ignoring and terrorizing children and not providing them with adequate emotional support or care. Sexual Abuse: Any sexual activity between a child and an adult. Physical Abuse is any non-accidental aggressive act towards a child including slapping, hitting, kicking etc. Neglect is the failure to provide for a childs basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing medical needs etc Witnessing family violence: A child being present and able to hear or see a sibling or parent being subject to physical or sexual abuse or being exposed to the damage caused by the abuser.

HOW BAD IS CHILD ABUSE IN AUSTRALIA?

Sadly enough there is a massive lack in child abuse statistics Australia wide. The only recorded information is on children who were substantiated as victims of abuse meaning children who were proven to have been abused and neglected and were taken into out of home care. There are no statistics or information on unreported child abuse through out Australia. Data from administrative sources are extremely lower then data collected via surveys as most people do not report these crimes. In 2008 25000 children aged 0-14 were on care and protection orders which is an 88% increase since 2000. 1 1in 6 boys and 1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before age 18. 2 In short child abuse is very bad through out Australia both reported and unreported and it is up to us to help prevent it from escalating.

(according to A Picture of Australias children 2009 publication by Australian institute of health and welfare)
1 2

(Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse. (2005). Issues Paper 10) Page 4 of 7

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WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP PREVENT CHILD ABUSE?

Awareness of child abuse and supporting child abuse organizations in your community are a great place to start. BUACA raises the awareness of child abuse by freely talking about it and promoting child abuse awareness through out remote Australia. The more aware we are that child abuse continues in our community the less acceptable it becomes and will hopefully lead to more children having the courage to report abuse. BUACA raises funds that directly go to child abuse victims and their family and hosts events to support child abuse foundations such as Bravehearts and the Daniel Morcombe foundation. BUACA is child support oriented. BUACA befriends victims and their families shows them that there is no reason to live in fear and that they are supported through a sometimes traumatic process of disclosure. BUACA believes that with dedication, passion and the attention a group of motorbikes with their engines blaring can get that we can be a voice for the children of Australia. One mans idea has already helped so many so together we can and will make a big difference because no child should live in fear.

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MERCHANDISE
Bikers United Against Child Abuse (BUACA) offers a large amount of merchandise available for public purchase.

Mens T-shirts Small XXXL $25.00 each

Mens Singlets Small XXXL $25.00 each

Ladies t-shirts Size 8-16 Available in 4 colors $25.00 each Mens Polo Small XXXL $30.00 each

Biker Buddy t-shirts (kids) Size 2-16 $25.00

Mens Long sleeve Small XXXL $30.00 each

There is also a range of stubby holders, mugs, metal badges, patches, hats and beanies available to purchase and support our cause on www.buaca.net
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CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact Bikers United Against Child Abuse (BUACA) if you have any further questions of for an application to become a member or support member. Buaca1@bigpond.com For any further information please go to www.buaca.net

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