This is just one example of several different styles of cypher locks.
These new locks come on the heals of a brutal attack and rape of a female KBR employee in her own room on November 30, 2009. As far as I know, the rapist has not been apprehended and could very well still be on base. If you have information about this rape please contact the victims attorney, Todd Kelly.
New Locks on Female Facilities Designed to Help Prevent Sexual Assault
13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) RSS
Courtesy Story
Date: 01.01.2010
Posted: 01.01.2010 06:51
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – KBR, Inc. employees began installing cipher locks on female latrines and shower facilities in Dec. – female residents may obtain the codes from their housing office.
The locks are a security measure to prevent sexual assault, following incidences of males entering those facilities while in use by females, said Sgt. 1st Class Johnnie M. Mitchell, the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) equal opportunity adviser and deployed sexual assault response coordinator.
Mitchell said no one was hurt during those incidents and the males’ intentions have not been determined. The locks are being installed as a preventive measure as they arrive, so installation dates are approximate, she said.
“We try to put the best preventive measures in place to keep risks down and keep everyone safe, male or female,” she said.
Mitchell, a Sylvania, Ga., native, said she is working to get peep holes installed in the doors to the containerized housing units on base as another safety precaution, but deliberations are ongoing.
As an additional safety measure, Mitchell said she hands out whistles and flashlights for use at night or in the event of an attack.
Fastening the chain lock in CHUs, carrying a flashlight and whistle at night, and attending a self defense course are all ways service members and civilians can protect themselves against sexual assault, she said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael R. Morris, a flyaway security team leader with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, has been an instructor for four self defense courses during his deployment and is scheduled to teach his last class Jan. 7 before he redeploys.
Morris, a San Diego native, said the course is open to anyone but is geared more toward women. The class teaches students how to escape attacks, use pressure points and may soon include a lesson on fighting stances, he said.
“We started [teaching the class] because we thought it would be a good idea for the local base populous females to have a way to defend themselves in case of a situation … knowing that the area is more prone to assaults than state side,” he said.
Mitchell said knowing how to help stop sexual assault is the key.
“Sexual assault has no place in our Army or our ranks,” she said. “It degrades the mission, it destroys everything the military stands for. That victim could be your mother, your sister, your brother, it could be somebody you love and care for. … Some people just do not understand [what it means] to be a victim of sexual assault.” (click HERE for the original article)
I love the fact the Army is finally recognizing sexual assault as an issue and is trying to be proactive in training and protecting it’s members. Although this article is primarily about protecting female service members, men are also too often victims of rape while in the military.
I would like to ask KBR directly, what they have done to train and protect their employees from sexual assault, not only at Joint Base Balad but theater wide.
I think any man who “inadvertently” walks into a female bathroom, shower room or a females living quarters in a war zone or any zone for that matter just needs to be shot! Then you don’t need special locks to keep the pervs out!
Ms Sparky
Other Related Posts From Ms Sparky
- Suit claims KBR fired employee Swanita Taylor after claims of sexual assault in Afghanistan
- Another KBR female placed under house arrest
- Pentagon estimates 90% of sexual assaults go unreported
- Defense contractors cringe at the thought the Pentagon will track the assault of their employees
- KBR employee brutally raped at Joint Base Balad in Iraq(Updated)
My thinking of this particular lock is – it is the wrong type locking mechanism. I won’t say why on this blog, but I will tell Mssparky if she wants me to email her.
I wouldn’t be surprised if KBR charged the Gov’t, 3 times what it truly cost to by and ship to Iraq in bulk.
I will say it again – Please while home on R&R, buy a peep-hole to have installed in the front door. Make certain that it will adjust to the width of the front door to your room. While in your room you could put a piece of tape over the viewing port on the inside.
This is photo of a “cypher lock” I pulled off the internet to show as an example. There are many types of cypher locks on the market, this is just one.
The new locks are a good idea but I don’t think they should just be installed on women’s living quarters. They should be installed on all living quarters. Placing them on women’s quarters is like placing a billboard out front that says “Hello, There is a woman living here”. It would be good for everyone to know they are safe. The crimes that have happened against women are horrific but new locks might stop other crimes as well.
umm so a cipher lock one of the most insecure locks on earth for a public facility that every uses and anyone can watch……
well, another thing, KBR changed the locks in 2008 early 2009, the old locks, you could keep your key in them and turn all the way to the right, and NO ONE could open your door even with the other keys. They did this so they could come in your room any time they wanted to, even if you were in there in the shower, sleeping, etc. After the girl was attacked, btw, she was living in a row with NO ONE else there, she got away with this becuase of who her family was. When that was brought up in our ALL hands meeting about her staying in the row by herself, the management said THAT WAS NOT THE MAIN ISSUE…. and when we asked if we could get the chains and have them put on our doors(even for the guys, we have to worry about sexual assult when the women checking our rooms force their way in when we are in the shower, we get in trouble for being naked in the shower) they tell us we can not do that, that they need access at all times…go figure..
For Michael’s comment, I know for a fact 100% that the reason the locks were changed is because the army issued KBR a level 3 car for not having thumbturns on the inside doors. It was seen as if an emergency, fire, happened the person would not be able to get out without a key and if the chu was occupied by 2 people and the person inside had his key in the door his roommate could not get in. I don’t know how many times a week I was called when a soldier or kbr person would turn in a P1 service order from being locked out and when I got there it was because another person living in the same chU had his key in the lock. Or during preventive maintenance checks the trades guys couldn’t get in a chu because the occupant was asleep with there key in the door. We changed out probably close to a thousand cylinders at C1 Speicher. I HATE to sound like I’m defending KBR on this but it actually wasn’t there fault. THIS TIME!!
Oh and this car was theater wide and included afghanistan.