By Sarah Stephen
PERTH — Five people are now facing trial for the murder of 14-year-old Aboriginal boy Cleon Jackman after his battered body was found on May 22. Jackman is believed to have been beaten and strangled to death after he was discovered attempting to burgle a house.
In the 12 days before Jackman's body was discovered, his family was repeatedly told by police that they were not concerned for his safety. His foster parents were frantic because he had never spent more than a day from home.
When Jackman was reported missing, the two police officers who came to interview the family did not seem to take his disappearance seriously. They said Jackman had probably stolen something and gone into hiding.
The local Boogurlarri community centre took matters into its own hands, distributing leaflets and posters and contacting the media. When reporters contacted police, they were told the boy was a juvenile criminal and he would eventually turn up. Detectives did not visit the Jackman family until a week after Cleon had gone missing, and only then because of the media coverage.
Witnesses eventually came forward and suspects were arrested and charged with murder. Taking Jackman's disappearance seriously may not have saved the boy's life, but it would have reduced his family's suffering.
There have been similar complaints about WA police's unwillingness to take Aboriginal child disappearances seriously. When a white child goes missing, it usually sparks a massive search within 24 hours. The Jackman case is another example of the police racism and complacency that threatens the safety and survival of Aboriginal people.