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Over the past two decades, the organization has grown into an international force with more than 3,000 members in eight countries.

With a mission statement to create safe environments for abused children, the non-profit organization whose members are not affiliated with other bike groups, makes sure they pass criminal and other background checks, as well as travelling in pairs so no member is ever alone with a child.

Last year, Scott — they don’t give out their last names for security reasons — says several of the Calgary members rode 11 hours each way to support a child at a trial in Northern Alberta. “And when we did our march at the start of Meika’s trial, members from all over Western Canada came to support us.”

Their mandate is to support the child victims, accompanying them as they face their alleged abuser in court. In the case of Meika Jordan it’s all about Brian and Kyla Woodhouse, who are members of BACA and go by the nicknames Woody and Peeka (Peeka Pie was her mom’s nickname for Meika).

“Our job is to be with them every step of the journey,” says Scott, who counts in his group several blue-collar workers along with a few entrepreneurs and an accountant. “When Kyla runs out of the courtroom because she can’t listen to one more word, we’re right behind her.”

Earlier in the week, Woodhouse’s quick retreat with the ensuing stampede of bikers caused a few sheriffs to follow in hot pursuit. “They have nothing to worry about,” says Scott, who recoils at the suggestion there is even a trace of vigilante ethos in their approach. “We don’t care about the perpetrators, we are there for the victims.”

While appearances can be deceiving, Scott, whose bike of choice is a Vaquero, says he doesn’t care a whit if people don’t like the scruffy appearance of him and his crew.

“If we intimidate by the way we look, that’s fine,” says the kind man with a gentle laugh. “We only care about how we make the people we’re protecting feel.”

vfortney@calgaryherald.com

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