Bikers providing assistance, protection and support for abused children.

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About Guardians Of the Children

GOC serves as a public benefit organization to educate the public about child abuse prevention and create a safer environment for abused children.

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Our Mission

The mission of Guardians of the Children (GOC) is to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same; to serve as advocates to provide strength and stability to families in crisis and be an answer to the prayer of an abused child or teen for courage, support and protection.

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How do I join?

You may contact any officer about joining the Wild West Chapter of GOC or visit the National website: www.guardiansofthechildren.com

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Do I need to ride a motorcycle to join?

You must have access to a motorcycle, but you do not need to own one.

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How are the organization's funds used?

All funds are used to benefit the children that we directly support/adopt and also to educate the public about child abuse prevention. All members are volunteers and do not receive any monetary compensation.

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Donations can be given to our treasurer or contact any GOC Wild West officer or by clicking the Donate button at the top of the screen.

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What is child abuse?

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Physical Abuse: Any non-accidental physical injury caused to a child. This does not necessarily include the intended injury, but may be the result of over discipline or inappropriate punishment.

 

Sexual Abuse: Includes molestations, incest, rape, prostitution or use of a child for pornographic purposes, physical/direct contact (touching, fondling, or attempted rape) or non-physical/no touching, (indecent exposure, talking about sex designed to shock or interest a child, allowing child to watch or hear sexual acts).

 

Emotional Mistreatment: Blaming, belittling, or rejecting a child; treating siblings unequally; persistent lack of concern for a child's welfare.

 

Neglect: Inattention to basic needs of a child such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and supervision. This tends to be chronic.

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Reporting Child Abuse

An oral report should be made immediately to the nearest Child Protective Services office or to local law enforcement or to the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline. 1-800-4-A-CHILD

Anyone who files a report is immune from criminal or civil liability.

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What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is as basic as speaking on behalf of oneself or other to get something done. For example, as child advocates, we seek to ensure that the children in our community have a voice and that their needs are met. This can mean, speaking on behalf of children and families to the local community officials, state level elected officials or federal policy makers.

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Why you should be an advocate:

The reason to be a child and family advocate is that you care about the children in our country and want them to be safe, healthy and happy. In order to ensure that local, State and Federal policy makers adopt, implement and maintain important policies and programs that support children and families it is critical to have a sustained vocal and noticeable presence at all levels of policy making.

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Wild West Guardians Make Our Galaxy Better, One Child at a Time by Wendy Parker

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Contrary to the well-known 80’s song lyrics, hell is NOT for children. When the going gets tough for abused kids, Guardians of the Children pass the test.

 

“The mission of Guardians of the Children (GOC), is to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same; to serve as advocates to provide strength and stability to families in crisis and be an answer to the prayer of an abused child or teen, for courage, support and protection.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine if you will, a world in which a scared child can find an alliance with something bigger and badder than the boogey-monster haunting them. A world in which the weak are made stronger than any abuser they face. A safety net of impenetrable courage and physical presence that shows up at the most needed point in their lives.

Sounds a lot like a Disney flick, doesn’t it? Your very own Chewbacca-come-to-call when he’s summoned. Every bullied kid’s dream come true.

Guess what? It’s not a dream. It’s an answer to a prayer for a lot of families, and it’s what Guardians of the Children is all about.

Every day, news agencies report heinous crimes committed against children. Most of us read the headlines, shudder, and move on. We assume when perpetrators are arrested, the child is safe.

 

Truth is, a large number of these children have to face their abusers again in court, not only re-living the trauma they endured, but having to do it in front of the people who inflicted it upon them. The same people who likely threatened the child with harm beyond the abuse if they told anyone about it.

That’s where the GOC comes in.

Families in crisis can request the presence of the Guardians as support and insulation, if you will, for a terrified child who has to testify in court. It’s a lot easier for a 6 year-old kid who has 50 bikers in the room for protection, to tell the secrets they have to tell, about the monster who hurt them. Especially when the monster is also in the room.

But that’s not all they do.

GOC is a 100% volunteer organization. Member’s occupations range from behavioral health professionals to retired coal miners. Being bikers and belonging to a motorcycle organization isn’t what defines their lives, it’s what enhances it. Regardless of their personal reasons for being involved, their mission is always the same.

It’s about the kids.

The 50+ members of the Wild West chapter promote themselves as a community resource for families in need. Going to court is just one of many things volunteers within GOC do. Temporary housing assistance, Christmas gifts delivered by Santa, mentoring, even checking in the closet and under the bed for a boogeyman is par for the course.

Whatever it takes.

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“Integrity” is a word used frequently when speaking with Hillbilly, President of the Wild West Chapter. “Family” is the word that comes to mind when watching the members interact with one another. There is no doubt a familial bond between these folks. Hugs, handshakes and fellowship permeate parking lots full of motorcycles, chains and leather vests. The general public rarely considers how much love is involved in these gatherings. “Love” isn’t generally the first thing to come to mind when people see 50 bikes blazing down the highway, en masse.

It takes a village to raise a child, and the Guardians take this phrase seriously. Their own children can be “patched in,” but there are standards and criteria they must achieve and maintain to keep their patch. “Valor, Truth, Integrity,” is not just a catch-phrase, it’s how they’re expected to conduct themselves, every single day.

Adults within the organization hold themselves to the same standards. Prospective members must complete both state and federal background checks, and put forth effort and time, in addition to completing standardized criteria, to obtain their patch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All members are mandated court reporters, meaning they are compelled to report any abusive activity they see. Court-appointed child safety advocates work closely with the GOC, to ensure the maximum benefit of their support and service.

When asked what they’d like the public to know about the organization, not one word was mentioned about it being a non-profit, volunteer operation that is funded by donation only. Nothing was said about the bikes, no one cared if people knew what they did for a living. What the thing Guardians of the Children want people to know about their efforts is very simple.

“We are here to help.”

This blog was written by Tough Tested Brand Ambassador, Wendy Parker.

About Tough Tested®: ToughTested is a division of Mizco International Inc. Established in 1990, Mizco International is a consumer electronics manufacturer with research and development expertise in power and battery technology as well as audio engineering. ToughTested products are currently available for sales at Lowes, Cabelas, Loves, Pilot/Flying J, O’Reilly and online at ToughTested.com. To learn more about ToughTested click here.