1. Key Understanding
Some forms of bullying are serious crimes, not just unkind behaviour.
Two important types are:
- Mate crime
- Hate crime
👉 These can be reported to the police and should always be taken seriously.
2. What Is Mate Crime?
Mate crime happens when:
Someone pretends to be your friend but uses or exploits you for their own benefit.
⚠️ Examples of mate crime:
- Asking for money again and again
- Borrowing things and not returning them
- Pressuring someone to do things they don’t want to do
- Stealing from someone
- Taking advantage of trust
👉 A real friend:
- Does not make you feel uncomfortable
- Does not pressure or control you
- Does not need money or gifts to stay your friend
3. Warning Signs of Mate Crime
- Someone always asking for money or favours
- Feeling uncomfortable but unsure why
- Being told to keep secrets
- Feeling pressured or controlled
- Losing belongings or money
- Being taken advantage of socially or financially
4. What Is Hate Crime?
Hate crime happens when:
Someone targets another person because of who they are.
This may be due to:
- Disability
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
👉 It can include:
- Verbal abuse
- Threats or intimidation
- Physical harm
- Online abuse
- Damage to property
5. Disability Hate Crime
If someone is unkind or harmful because of a learning disability or other disability, this is a form of hate crime.
👉 It is illegal and should be reported.
6. Key Statistics (Awareness)
- Over 93,000 disability-related hate crimes were recorded in England and Wales over recent years
- Only a small number lead to legal action
- Many incidents still go unreported
👉 This shows how important it is to:
- Speak up
- Support reporting
- Take concerns seriously
7. Emotional Impact
People experiencing mate or hate crime may feel:
- Scared
- Confused
- Upset
- Betrayed
- Isolated
👉 These experiences can deeply affect confidence and mental health.
8. What To Do If It Happens
🛑 Step 1: Tell someone you trust
- Family member
- Friend
- Support worker
- Teacher or manager
📝 Step 2: Keep a record
Write down:
- What happened
- When and where
- Who was involved
🚔 Step 3: Report to the police
- Mate crime and hate crime can be reported
- This helps protect you and others
👉 Reporting may feel scary, but it is important.
🤝 Step 4: Get support
- Do not deal with it alone
- Ask someone to help you report it
9. Why Reporting Matters
Reporting helps:
- Stop the behaviour
- Protect others
- Help police understand the problem
- Improve safety in communities
10. If Someone Is in Immediate Danger
If there is a serious or urgent risk:
👉 Call 999 immediately
This is for:
- Immediate harm
- Threats
- Emergencies
11. Supporting Someone Else
If someone tells you they are experiencing mate or hate crime:
✔ Listen carefully
- Stay calm
- Take them seriously
✔ Reassure them
- “This is not your fault”
- “You did the right thing telling me”
✔ Help them act
- Support reporting
- Help record details
- Stay with them through the process
12. Safeguarding Responsibility
Staff and carers should:
- Recognise signs early
- Take action quickly
- Follow safeguarding procedures
- Protect the person from further harm
- Monitor ongoing risk
📘 EASY READ VERSION
Mate Crime and Hate Crime
💡 What is mate crime?
Mate crime is when:
- Someone pretends to be your friend
- But they use you or take advantage
⚠️ This is not real friendship
A real friend:
- Does not take your money
- Does not pressure you
- Does not make you feel unsafe
💡 What is hate crime?
Hate crime is when:
- Someone is unkind because of who you are
- For example, your disability
😔 How it can feel
- Scary
- Confusing
- Upsetting
🛑 What to do
- Tell someone you trust
- Write down what happened
- Ask for help
🚔 Report it
- You can tell the police
- They are there to help
🚨 Emergency
If you are in danger:
- Call 999
🌟 Important message
- It is not your fault
- You deserve to feel safe
🧭 TRAINING CHECKLIST (FOR STAFF & CARERS)
✔ Awareness
- Understand mate crime vs hate crime
✔ Identification
- Watch for financial exploitation
- Notice controlling behaviour
- Recognise targeting based on disability
✔ Communication
- Use simple language
- Encourage disclosure
✔ Action
- Record concerns
- Report to safeguarding teams
- Support police reporting
✔ Ongoing support
- Monitor wellbeing
- Provide emotional support
- Ensure safety plans are in place
🧩 PRACTICAL TOOL: “SAFE FRIEND CHECK”
Help individuals understand relationships:
Ask:
- Do I feel safe with this person?
- Do they ask for money or things often?
- Do I feel pressured?
- Do I feel respected?
👉 If the answer is “no” → this may not be a safe friendship.
📊 KEY MESSAGE
- Mate crime and hate crime are serious and often hidden
- Vulnerable people are at higher risk
- These are not just bullying—they can be criminal offences
- Early action and reporting are essential
- Support from others makes a huge difference
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