MateCrime

In 2025, we were asked to produce an artistic response to the subject of Mate Crime to raise awareness of the abuse and exploitation experienced by people with intellectual disabilities by  perpetrators they considered to be friends.

Written and directed by Petal Pilley, a short film was shot in March 2026 over five days. The subject matter was based on a research project titled LIFT (Living Independently and Free from Targeted Abuse) led by Dr Charles O’Mahony, Associate Professor at University of Galway School of Law, specialising in disability and mental health law and policy.

The term Mate Crime originated from the UK, primarily through the work of disability advocacy groups whereby “mate” was used to describe this type of crime, with perpetrator’s posing as ‘fake friends’ to exploit vulnerable people.

We hope to share more news about the film very soon.