Do mates hate? A framing of the theoretical position of mate crime and an assessment of its practical impact

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the phenomenon of mate crime and attempts to assess its practical as well as its theoretical implications.

Design/methodology/approach

It begins with an account of the short history of the concept and then positions mate crime within academic theorising around general hate crime and disability.

Findings

Particular reference is made to the significance of the issue of vulnerability and how its interpretation might affect understanding of this phenomenon.

Research limitations/implications

This is followed by some observations on how agencies of social policy and the legislature are responding to the issue of mate crime.

Practical implications

Particular reference is paid to the impact of safeguarding adults procedures.

Originality/value

It concludes that, although “mates” can (and do) “hate”, further research is required on the subject in order to gain better knowledge of the issue from both a theoretical and a practice position.

Citation

Doherty, G. (2015), "Do mates hate? A framing of the theoretical position of mate crime and an assessment of its practical impact", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 296-307. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-12-2014-0041