Mate crime is when a person is harmed or taken advantage of by someone they thought was their friend.

This can include a friend asking for money and refusing to give it back or emotional or physical abuse by a person who was thought to be a friend.

Certain factors may make a person more susceptible to mate crime:

  • having limited close family or friends
  • a physical or learning disability
  • mental health issues
  • misusing drugs and/or alcohol
  • isolation from the community
  • having low self esteem

If you think that someone is taking advantage of you or someone you know:

  • Tell someone you trust, such as a family member, a doctor or the police.
  • Do not tell the person who is pretending to be your friend.