Dr Robina Shah, MBE DL JP FRCGP (Hon) is a psychologist and academic. She has been actively involved in health and social care policy and strategy, at national and regional level for over 25 years. Robina is also the author of numerous publications and has achieved national and international recognition for her published work. She is the National Director of Strategy and Policy on Carers for Frenkel Topping Ltd .as well as the Academic Lead for Patient and Public Involvement at Manchester University Medical School where she is also co-lead for compassionate care. Robina is a member of the Governments Standing Commission on Carers and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Robina is also an independent member of the Ministerial Cross Government Hate Crime Advisory Group.

All my life I have had to live with the fact that I am different. When I was born my parents were told that I would not walk or talk so the prejudice started from the cradle. During my very young years I came across hostility from other children but at least they were honest and naive and wanted to know what was wrong with me. As I got older the comments changed from curiosity to name calling, bullying and downright verbal abuse. When as human beings do we change from asking probing questions to fearing and abusing one another because we see difference? As a swimmer, I have found sport to be a great leveller. The 2012 Paralympic Games held in London opened people's eyes to the abilities and achievements of those usually labelled 'dis-abled'. This book tackles the prejudice I personally experienced and makes a step towards creating a society in which disability hate crime no longer exists.

• Foreword, Baroness Sheila Hollins. Preface. Part One: What is Disability Hate Crime?. Chapter 1: Johnny Come Lately? The International and Domestic Policy Context of Disability Hate Crime, Jemma Tyson, University of Portsmouth, Paul Giannasi, Ministry of Justice and Nathan Hall, University of Portsmouth. Chapter 2: Disability Hate Crime - A Call for Action, Mike Smith, Real. Chapter 3: The Narrative for Change - How Disability Became Included in UK Hate Crime Policy, Paul Giannasi, Ministry of Justice. Chapter 4: Perpetrators of Disability Hate Crime, Jemma Tyson, University of Portsmouth and Nathan Hall, University of Portsmouth. Part Two: Disability Hate Crime - The Impact on Victims. Chapter 5: A Different Reality, Mark Brookes, Dimensons and David Cain. Chapter 6: Disability Hate Crime - The Parent's Perspective, Phillipa Russell, Government's Standing Commission on Carers. Chapter 7: The Absent Presence, Kathryn Stone, Independent Police Complaints Commission. Chapter 8: Disability Hate Crime is Everyone's Business, Robina Shah, Manchester Medical School, Manchester University and Frenkel Topping PLC. Part Three: Disability Hate Crime - Lessons from Other Disciplines. Chapter 9: Rape and Sexual Abuse, Dr Catherine White, St Mary's SARC. Chapter 10: The Sophie Lancaster Foundation - Combatting Hostility Through Education, Sylvia Lancaster, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Chapter 11: University Life: A Time of Change, Bob Munn, University of Manchester. Chapter 12: Regulating Health and social care, Paul Fredericks, Lolben Consultancy. Part Four: How to Respond to Disability Hate Crime. Chapter 13: The Local Authority's approach to Disability Hate Crime, Melanie Giannasi, Social Worker. Chapter 14: "Don't be afraid to ask: become part of the Circle of Support", Dr Matt Hoghton, Clevedon Medical Centre. Chapter 15: Pushing an open door: the value of multi-agency working, Syed Mohammed Musa Naqvi, NHS Stockport CCG. Chapter16: The Criminal Justice System Response to Disability Hate Crime, Paul Giannasi, Ministry of Justice. Chapter 17: Influencing Policy, Lord Nigel Crisp, All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health. Chapter 18: Conclusions and Recommendations, Robina Shah, Manchester Medical School, Manchester University and Frenkel Topping PLC and Paul Giannasi, Ministry of Justice. Contributor Profiles.