Family of Transgender Teenager Seeks Justice Through High Court Action Against Police Force

Strategic Insights -

The parents of a 15-year-old transgender boy who tragically took his own life after disappearing are pursuing High Court action against the police force whose response was deemed to have potentially contributed to his death. In a devastating case, the teenager's family is seeking justice for the alleged breaches of human rights and inadequate response by the police force. The inquest jury concluded that multiple services had "inadequately assessed and provided for" Jason's emotional and mental needs, and that the police had "responded inadequately" to his disappearance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jason Pulman, a 15-year-old transgender teenager, took his own life after disappearing from his family home in Eastbourne, leading his parents to pursue High Court action against Sussex Police.
  • The inquest jury concluded that the police force responded inadequately to Jason's disappearance, classifying him as "medium-risk" despite his history of self-harm and suicide attempts.
  • It took over 10 hours for an officer to visit Jason's family home after he was reported missing, despite his mother making two further calls indicating his potential location.
  • Jason was never provided with specialist gender dysphoria treatment due to delays in assessments, and the police force allegedly "flip-flopped" on its stance regarding accountability and learning from the case.
  • The family argues that the police force failed to protect Jason against the risk of suicide and that a "reasonable response" could have prevented his death.
  • The case highlights the inadequate mental health support and assessment provided to Jason, who began identifying as male at the age of 14.
  • Nick Armstrong KC, representing the Pulman family, highlighted that Jason's death might have been linked to his mental health and gender identity struggles, and that "it was also possible Jason may have been prevented from committing suicide" had the BTP (British Transport Police) been informed sooner.
  • Emily Pulman, Jason's mother, stated that she wants to try and get some change for kids like Jason, who wanted to make a difference, and that his death has given her the strength to fight for justice.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 10 hours elapsed between Jason being reported missing and an officer first arriving at his family home.
  • Jason was never provided with specialist gender dysphoria treatment due to delays in assessments.
  • 9 days post Jason's death, his parents met with then-chief superintendent Katy Woolford, who acknowledged that the police force had shortcomings in their response to Jason's disappearance.
  • The coroner's prevention of future deaths report noted that Jason's death might have been linked to his mental health and gender identity struggles, and that "it was also possible Jason may have been prevented from committing suicide" had the BTP been informed sooner.

Sources:

  • "Mother and stepfather of transgender teenager who took his own life after disappearing take High Court action against police force" by Callum Parke PA Law Reporter & Paige Ingram.
  • "Jason Pulman: Family of teenager who took his own life after disappearing from home 'feel hopeless'" by Callum Parke PA Law Reporter.
  • "Family of teenager who took his own life after disappearing to take High Court action against police force" by The PA News Agency.
  • Prevention of future deaths report by the coroner.