Hate / Mate crime

Hate crime is when someone does something to hurt someone because of who they are.  They might be targeted because of hostility or prejudice towards their: 

• Disability
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Transgender identity 

Types of hate crime: 

Hate crimes can include: 

• physical attacks - physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson
• threat of attack - offensive letters or emails, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate you and unfounded, malicious complaints
• verbal abuse or insults - harassment over the phone, by text or face to face, abusive gestures and remarks, bullying and threats 

Mate Crime 

Mate crime is when someone says they are your friend, but they do things that take advantage of you, like ask you for money a lot. A real friend does not need to be bought, and someone who takes your money, asks you to pay for lots of things, or makes you feel uncomfortable is not a true friend. 

If someone who says they are your friend hurts you, steals from you or makes you do something you don’t want to do, you should tell to someone you trust right away. 

Tricky Friends’ is a 3 minute video to help people to understand what good friendships are, when they might be harmful, and what they can do. 

Tricky Friends - YouTube

Reporting Hate or Mate crime 

• Telephone your local police on 101, if it’s an emergency telephone 999.
• Report a Hate or Mate crime online
• Download an easy read reporting form. 
• Contact Citizens Advice Bureau or Stop Hate UK, who can report it for you.
• Tell your parent, carer or support worker - they will support you to report it. 

Further Advice and Support 

https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/bullying/mate-and-hate-crime