Mate Crime IS Hate Crime The Legal definition

Mate Crime IS Hate Crime

The Legal definition “Any criminal offence, which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability. ”

Here are some examples for you. Being called names by the same people because you have a disability. People hanging around your home doing things because they know you have a disability. Someone pretends to be your friend knowing you have a disability. They take your money and steal things from your home.

A Wirral based Charity Research published in 2015* by the charity found that 80% of over 16’s with autism questioned had been bullied or taken advantage of by a friend. *The report is available at autismtogether. co. uk/mate-crime-in-merseyside

Autism Together has also partnered with the national learning disabilities charity Dimensions to highlight the issue of Hate and Mate crimes against vulnerable people. Nationwide research by Dimensions, has found 43% of people with learning disabilities or autism are scared of other people. 73% have experienced Hate Crime. 53% in the last year. https: //www. dimensions-uk. org

Tell-tale signs of Hate/Mate Crime Not being with usual networks of friends/family or missing weekly activities. Not taking care of themselves and looking dirty or scruffy. Bills not being paid. Unexplained injuries. Changes in routine, behaviour, appearance, finances or household. For example new people visiting or staying over, lots of new ‘friends’, lots more noise or rubbish than normal. Goods or packages arriving at a person’s house (and then being collected by someone else soon after) Losing weight. The house is a mess after lots of unexplained parties. Suddenly short of money, missing or losing possessions or changing their will.