Heart over at Women’s Space has an excellent, comprehensive report on Tracy Barker another Halliburton/KBR employee who experienced hrorendous sexual harassment and assault while working in Iraq. The blog takes a hard look not only at the facts of the case but also why it has received relatively little attention compared to the case of Jamie Leigh Jones,
“I don’t know why Jamie Leigh Jones, who spent only four days in Iraq, has received the amount of publicity and support she’s received, compared with Barker who spent over a year there in both Baghdad and Basra. I can’t help but wonder whether it is because, as Barker was told, “Gang rape sells, not sexual assault or ‘just’ rape.” I wonder whether it might be, in part, because Barker is French Basque/Spanish and is hence a woman of color, therefore not the kind of complainant the blonde American Jamie Leigh Jones is, or because Jones’s father was the kind of man who could gain the immediate attention of a Republican legislator with a quick phone call, securing his daughter’s release within three days of the attacks on her. I wonder if it might be, in part, because Barker is a mother of five, instead of a young woman in her 20s with no children. I wonder whether it was because Barker saw too much, knew too much, including about the attacks of Halliburton employees on Iraqi women as well as Halliburton employees. I wonder if, despite Mokhtare’s own admissions, Barker going to his room – even though as part of her job, it was up to her to address the problem he said he had with his air conditioner — made her claims less interesting or credible somehow. I suspect, in part, it might be because at times, Barker has seemed to castigate and blame herself, to express guilt and remorse for being unable in her drugged exhaustion to fight Craig Grabein off when he raped her, in the way, women often blame ourselves, as though it is up to us to keep men from raping us, instead of up to men to stop raping women.
Whatever the reason, the silencing of Tracy Barker is an outrage. Her story must be heard, and she must receive justice. To that end, I have written this post. Please, spread the word.”
Kudos to Heart for putting all of this together and asking the necessary questions.
8 Responses to “Women’s Space: Why So Little Attention To Tracy Barker/Halliburton Story?”
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Tracy Barker came forward being one of the first to bring public awareness in the ABC 2020 interview and by attending this Congressional hearing in December 2007 where she wasnt allowed to speak and a statement Tracy never wrote was submitted to the committee and than Congressman Poe gave an award to Jamie liegh Jones and again did not recognize Tracy as also being one of the first to bring public awareness. Why has this been allowed to happen maybe that is why when you try to email Congressman Poe and you are not from Texas it kicks back wow just like Hillary Clinton
This women Tracy Barker opened her heart and family to hep this victim Jamie leigh Jones after the attorneys demanded Tracy to bring Jamie to the case they used Tracy falsely presented her case to Congress and the media and dumped her 3 hours after arbitration and 6 days before expert witness were due in a Virginia court against one of Tracy assailants (which the Barkers were unaware of this hearing and told that it still wasnt accepted in Virginia yet) After 3 years of asking Hillary Clinton for help Tracy gets letters from Clinton stating she cannot help because Tracy is not from NY… But the minute Clinton is running for office she demands Justice for Jamie Jones a women from Texas??? These attorneys Todd Kelly Stephanie Morris screwed up Barkers case but used her evidence and witness statements about Tracy with Tracy’s name removed in order to promote Jamie Jones. Look on all of the media and UTUBE you put Tracy’s name and Tracy’s face comes up with Jamie Jones written on it. Tracy Barker deserves Justice. Look at Justice seekers.com they claim they are for Tracy too but have a huge picture of Jamie and a poll and barely mention Tracy. Look at Louise Slaughters letter a big story about Jamie Jones and a tthe bottom a one line sentence about Tracy. Congressman Poe has been a very big part of this abuse the Barker family has demanded answers. The Committee has also ignored the Barkers when they informed them that a Congressional statement was submitted that Tracy never wrote or approved that was in support of Jamie and lied about Tracy’s rape. This whole thing about being drugged put in a shipping container and using someones cell phone for help is all out Tracy’s case with proof medic report, hr statements of container, eap report of being left in the desert, kevin rodgers statement that Jamie Jones submitted to the Houston Chronicle as hers, this has to end stop these people now from abusing other victims. I guess the attorneys thought Tracy’s story sounded good so they used it telling Tracy gang rape sells for a book and movie deal and we want a white Texas women not someone like you. Excuse me Tracy is American too. They used Tracy then dumped her This is the biggest discrimination case of all history this is America please demand answers!
I think things bad enough with the economy in decline, the war effort moving ever so slowly, the political arena of our country in shambles, and now this. This is a travesty, and I hope Tracy Barker receives the justice she deserves
I believe this is totally true They think they are above the law You hear more and more everyday about similar cases How can there ever be justice if no one is ever held responsible.? And beyond that..what is wrong with these other people?
What else is new? How terrible for MS. Barker. Her experiences clearly reflect that Justice is indeed blind. Will she ever receive justice, one would hope so
and the udge from Texas has the nerve to say this
http://www.truthout.org/article/sex-assault-suit-against-halliburton-killed
Kudos to Tracy K Barker for bringing to light what happens to women in Iraq. I, too was sexually exploited, and am living with it today. You are brave thank you for helping other women and making the public aware. I’m sorry for what has happened to you in th United States there is no reason why you should be treated like this after helping other rape victims this makes me mad. I don’t care if you are not from Texas this is crap of what has happened to you. I apologize from the Americans for such a form of abuse that you have experienced while fighting for Justice.
Thank you for bringing this story to the public’s attention. And what is wrong with 2020 they are a nightmare. Thank You womens space for standing up for Tracy. This report devasted me tremendously, and is indicative of the government’s many, many coverups, Halliburton’s coverups, rape cover ups, and abuse to this rape victim when I saw Ms Barker on video upset and looked on google images there is a picture of Tracy at the congressional Hearing. NO ONE should be re victimized after coming back to the United States NO ONE! Write your Congressmen and Senators and make sure this case is investigated !!! This cannot be allowed to Happen!!!! do it!!! WRITE THEMI am going to
Dear Tracy and Galen,Thank you for your courage in going public and telling everyone what happened to you, even after you came home. Public outrage, congressional abuse. This needs the attention brought to your case and what has happened since returning home. It’s exactly what is needed to help protect others from similar future victimization. Even if your attackers and those involved in the cover-up are not brought to justice legally, the public needs to know who they are and what they did. What KBR had already allowed to happen to you, I am truly convinced they would have continued assaulting you and then murdered you by staging an accident or murder to look like a suicide when they needed you to disappear. I am furious about the insults that are stated in relation to your Bush appointed Judge not made by the two of you but made towards you and some idiots mocking President Bush in UTUBE videos. That is horrible that you both are military family and this type of treatment towards you is unacceptable. Tracy I am glad that Kevin Rodgers National Guard let you use his cell phone to call you husband. You deserve Justice!