Hate Crime and Mate Crime

What is Hateful Content?

Hateful content is where others are inciting hatred towards an individual or a group. If you experience any hateful content it will probably make you feel anxious, scared and angry. It is very important that you tell someone – your parent or carer, or another trusted adult such as a teacher, youth worker or social worker.

You might also witness hateful content being aimed towards another young person. If that happens it is still very important that you tell someone.

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What is Hate Crime?

Hate crime is the general term used to describe any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon a person’s protected characteristics- these are:

race
religion
sexual orientation
transgender identity
disability

Even if a victim does not have any of these protected characteristics, but they receive abuse because others think they have one or more of these characteristics, then it is still a crime and should be reported to the police.

Reporting:

Merseyside Police have information about how to report hate crimes here:
https://www.merseyside.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/

The police can be called on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

What is Mate Crime?

Mate crime happens when someone pretends to be your friend and then uses you instead of being a good friend. A ‘mate’ may be a friend, family member, supporter, paid staff or another person with a disability

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.

Hate crime is when you are victimised by strangers just because you have one or more protected characteristics such as a disability.
Mate Crime is done by someone you know.

Poster from Autism Together

Spotting the Signs

For a lot of hate crimes, people are victimised because someone thinks they are different. Whilst there are five protected chracteristics, it is common for crimes to be targeted at people with other differences, for example the way they dress.

Signs of victimisation can include:

unexplained absence from school
change in dress or behaviour
depression or anxiety
becoming withdrawn
self-harm
substance misuse

Hate Crime Awareness video

Is this person my friend?

A friend is a companion you trust and have fun with. But if your friend makes you feel anxious or scared, takes your money or possessions or makes you do things you don’t want to, that’s not right. We call that a mate crime.

Remember that most of your friends are good friends but that if you are worried about a friendship you have a right to be believed and to be taken seriously when you report incidents.