Mate crime, a form of exploitation and abuse perpetrated by individuals masquerading as friends, has become an alarming concern. Rod Landman of ARC England highlights the issue of under-reporting, emphasizing that anyone can fall victim to mate crime, not just the elderly or those with learning difficulties. The proliferation of online friendships has further facilitated this type of crime, making it easier for perpetrators to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals. Everyday examples of mate crime include supposed friends taking control of a victim's finances or exploiting their vulnerability.
The tragic case of Steven Hoskin in 2006 serves as a harrowing example. After being coerced by a couple who had taken over his flat, Hoskin was forced to fall from a 100-foot railway viaduct in Cornwall. Mandy Davis, another victim, recounts her ordeal with a supposed friend who exploited her mental health and financial situation. Initially reluctant to confront her abuser, Davis eventually expelled him from her home but was left with a £30,000 debt.
Mate crime can be classified as a form of hate crime, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, because it targets individuals based on their vulnerabilities rather than protected characteristics. Rod Landman and ARC England, an organization specializing in learning disabilities and autism, have been instrumental in bringing attention to this issue.
Mate crime can manifest in various ways, often involving financial exploitation. For instance, individuals may pretend to assist someone with their benefits only to take advantage of them on payday. The development of online relationships has made it increasingly easy for perpetrators to forge deceptive friendships.
Mandy Davis's experience illustrates the emotional and psychological toll of mate crime.
"There were moments where I deluded myself into thinking that I am such a good person for ‘helping people’." – Mandy Davis
She describes the anxiety and fear that her supposed friend instilled in her life.
"Then I had moments where I did not dare to leave my room because I was concerned about him harassing me." – Mandy Davis
Trapped in a cycle of manipulation and emotional abuse, Davis found it difficult to assert herself.
"I saw no way for me to exit the situation and say ‘no’ to any of his requests, since these would be met with him getting intense and emotionally abusive in the house, and I was acutely suicidal." – Mandy Davis
The perpetrator employed guilt-tripping tactics, leaving Davis feeling trapped and financially burdened.
"He told me I’d made a binding promise to support him, and started guilt-tripping me – since he would be homeless and could not return to his job – and also made clear he thought I didn’t give him enough money." – Mandy Davis
These manipulative behaviors led her to avoid confrontation.
"At some point I avoided any conversations so as not to be put down." – Mandy Davis
Ultimately, Davis recognized that she was acting under duress and that her mental health had been exploited.
"I acted under duress – I was put under enormous pressure and my mental ill-health was exploited. I have lost enormous amounts of money." – Mandy Davis
Her vulnerability was ruthlessly leveraged by the perpetrator.
"I feel as if he exploited my vulnerability due to my mental health, by making me believe he was going to rot away on the street, and decided to take my money, and call me abusive." – Mandy Davis
After taking action against her abuser, she noticed a significant change in her living situation.
"With my flatmate now, the cleaning complaints also seem to have magically vanished." – Mandy Davis
Davis's decision to seek help marked a turning point in her life.
"If I had not sought help, I would still be in this situation." – Mandy Davis
Rod Landman underscores the deep-seated fear of isolation that victims often experience.
"The prospect of life without friendship is a pretty bleak one, and the sorts of things people are prepared to put up with in order to have someone in their life that they regard as being a friend are pretty extreme." – Rod Landman