Cape despair after boy, 12, hangs himself
23.01.2004
A 12-YEAR-old Aboriginal boy at Kowanyama community on Cape York hanged himself in a cupboard on Wednesday -- a week after Family Services officials negotiated for him and his two younger sisters to be taken from the abusive house in which they were staying.
The transfer did not occur even though it was agreed between the family of the children, DFS and the community justice group.
Distraught medical professionals who had been dealing with the siblings yesterday broke ranks with tradition and spoke of the ``total despair'' endured by children on communities like Kowanyama, and the high incidence of child neglect and sexual abuse.
A community spokesman said there was medical evidence that boy and his sisters had suffered abuse --``neglect, sexually transmitted disease and sexual interference as well as petrol sniffing''.
The dead child was a patient of Dr Richard Heazlewood, senior medical officer at Pediatric Outreach with Cairns Base Hospital.
Dr Heazlewood said the boy had been involved with petrol sniffing and had behavioural problems.
``My feeling is there was a history of abuse, but something else must have happened related to petrol or abuse to drive him to take this action.
``It is a long time since we had one so young commit suicide. On the same day, a 14-year-old girl at Lockhart River community also attempted suicide.
``I think this is a reflection of what is happening in the community to kids. They get to the stage of total despair, nobody to talk to. They don't feel there is any other responsible person in the community to talk to. This is the way out. It is horrible.
``It is a reflection of the whole dysfunction within the community. A different approach has to be taken to combat what is happening in the Cape.''
Local ATSIC councillor Tanya Major said the incident had shattered the community, and highlighted how children had nothing to occupy their time.
``There are wonderful alcohol controls now in place for adults, but nothing for the children. There are no playgrounds, no organised sporting or fun events, or anywhere to hold them,'' she said.
``More than 50 children are now involved with petrol sniffing on this community -- and that is something new here. Sometimes I cry with despair at what we can do with these problems.''
Dr Lara Wieland, who is relieving medico at Kowanyama and who spent nearly three years as the resident doctor, yesterday said the health and living conditions at the community were appalling.
``This little boy's life was so miserable that he felt there was no option but to kill himself. Can you believe that -- a 12-year-old boy? How dysfunctional is that?
``There is no family support available. There is just nothing for the children to do -- even healthy facilities for sport.
``People in authority have to accept responsibility for what is happening. This is just so tragic -- to see a young boy at the start of life so distraught he elects to kill himself.
``There are up to 10 children in that house from which he was supposed to be removed. The support services for people in need in these places just don't exist -- and governments don't address it.''
