7 MINUTE BRIEFING Mate Crime What is mate

7 MINUTE BRIEFING Mate Crime

What is mate crime? Put simply mate crime is the exploitation of a vulnerable person by someone claiming to be their friend. Mate Crime is a specific kind of Hate Crime. Once ‘befriended’ examples of exploitation can include (but are in no means limited to): Stealing money Forced labour Coercion into spending money or giving away possessions Coercion into prostitution or other sexual acts Coercion to commit criminal offences e. g. buying/selling drugs, stealing

What is mate crime? Mate crime can also lead to cuckooing. Cuckooing is an extreme form of exploitation whereby criminal gangs take over a vulnerable person’s home for the purpose of carrying out large scale prostitution, human trafficking or drugs activity. Often the perpetrator will appear to be a ‘genuine’ friend to both the vulnerable person and any observers of the relationship. However, the perpetrator may use abusive or harmful behaviour to maintain or begin their exploitation of the person including: Threats of harm Saying things to create feelings of worthlessness or dependency Actual physical assault or restraint Withholding of medication or possessions important to the person Covert or overt use of drugs or alcohol

Who is affected by Mate Crime? Mate crime can affect anyone who is vulnerable. This includes anyone who is either; Vulnerable due to their circumstances; or Vulnerable because they lack the key social skills required to recognise a ‘fake’ friend. Historically those targeted are usually socially isolated or living on their own. This is clearly intentional as it reduces the likelihood that the perpetrator’s behaviour will be challenged by others. However, with the increase in social media perpetrators are now also targeting vulnerable people online, where they may be living with others or in a family environment.

Tragic Case Example Gemma Hayter died in 2010 after five ‘friends’ forced her to drink urine from a beer can, beat her with a mop and then stripped her naked before leaving her to die on a disused railway embankment in Warwickshire. The serious case review into her death still felt that key organisations should have known about her situation and provided support that may have made her less likely to fall into the company of the people who ultimately led to her death. A BBC documentary ‘Gemma: My Murder’ explores the events leading up to her death, the impact it had on family and friends and the lessons learned by those organisations that missed opportunities to intervene. It is available on You. Tube:

Indicators of Mate Crime Changes in behaviour (e. g. becoming more withdrawn or increase in risk taking) Changes in appearance (taking less or more care, weight loss) Financial difficulty (e. g. bills not paid, unable to buy food) Changes to household environment (e. g. missing possessions, rubbish, unusual items such as cigarettes, alcohol) Changes in routine and regular activities Withdrawing from existing networks of support and services Unexplained injuries Secretive or increased mobile phone or social media use Talking about new ‘friends’ Suddenly changing a will

Reduce the Risks of Mate Crime With the increased use and accessibility of social media and the internet it is important that vulnerable children and adults, as well as those involved in supporting them understand the risks involved and steps that can be taken to stay safe, including: How information or images posted online may be used How to use privacy settings Access to support services Unfortunately many victims of Mate Crime do not meet the criteria to access specialist social work, health or other services. There are low level support services available but they are often not widely publicised, or those providing information or advice are not aware of them.

Reduce the Risks of Mate Crime Sensitive Challenging Sometimes the vulnerable adult will know that their ‘friend’ is not really their ‘friend. However in other cases they may not realise this, even if it is obvious to observers of the relationship. Whilst it is important to talk about concerns this should be done sensitively, recognising that it may take some time for the vulnerable person to understand the concerns others have and accept that their ‘friend’ is not their friend. An insensitive approach runs the risk that the person will isolate themselves further, increasing their overall vulnerability A clear and consistent response from agencies The police, health and social care agencies and the ambulance service need to work together and have a consistent and clear response to any reports of Mate Crime