Mate crime is a form of crime in which a perpetrator befriends a vulnerable person with the intention of then exploiting the person financially, physically or sexually. "Mate" (British slang for 'friend') crime perpetrators take advantage of the isolation and vulnerability of their victim to win their confidence.
In publicity regarding mate crime, Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group states:
Victims of mate crime may be enticed into committing criminal acts themselves and taking the blame so as to protect the real perpetrator,Wirral Autistic Society launches Merseyside-wide campaign to stamp out 'mate crime' affecting vulnerable disabled people , accessed 3 December 2015 although the vulnerable person may lack the mental capacity themselves to be treated as a criminal.
In 2011, a serious case review following the death of Gemma Hayter found "clear evidence that Hayter was susceptible to abuse, as it was known she had suffered 'mate crime' regularly over some time" and noted that "an overall lack of thoroughness and information-sharing led to 'a number of missed opportunities' to find out what was happening more generally in her life and the company she was keeping".Walker, P., Gemma Hayter case review finds chances were missed to protect her, The Guardian, 14 November 2011, accessed 4 January 2016
In the United Kingdom, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advises its staff to avoid using the term "mate crime":
The National Autistic Society has claimed that "many people with autism desperately want to have friends, but may struggle to know the best ways of starting and maintaining friendships" and are therefore at risk of mate crime abuse.National Autistic Society, The Protection of Children and Young People with Autism from Violence and Abuse, accessed 3 December 2015
Research has highlighted common factors in mate crime and hate crime.Hampshire Police, Mate Crime Good Practice Guidance, accessed 3 December 2015
See also Cuckooing—a practice where criminals befriend a vulnerable person, and then exploit their home to commit crime such as drug dealing Murder of Gemma Hayter Murder of Jennifer Daugherty Murder of Shakira Spencer
References
External links The Real Change Challenge: Mate Crime: A Challenge for the Police, Safeguarding and Criminal Justice Agencies - Association for Real Change Mate and hate crime - Mencap