Stephen L. Wessler is the Executive Director of the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence (CPHV), located in Portland, Maine. The Center develops and implements programs in schools, colleges and communities to prevent bias, prejudice, harassment and violence and engages in advocacy to prevent bias motivated violence. Mr. Wessler has conducted scores of workshops, lectures and keynote addresses on preventing hate violence for educators, students, police officers, correctional staff, health care professionals and community members in the United States, Canada, Northern Ireland and the Middle East.
Mr. Wessler, an attorney, developed and directed the civil rights enforcement effort at the Maine Department of the Attorney General from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Wessler is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston University School of Law. He practiced law, both in the Maine Attorney General’s office and in private practice, for over 22 years before creating the Center in 1999. Mr. Wessler has received recognitions or awards for his work from a number of civil rights and professional organizations.
Mr. Wessler is the author of The Respectful School and a number of articles, reports and other publications focusing on hate crimes and prevention. Mr. Wessler is also a member of the faculty at the University of Southern Maine.
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Books
The Respectful School: How Educators and Students Can Conquer Hate and Harassment, (ASCD, 2003).
Articles:
“Slurs, Stereotypes, and Student Interventions: Examining the Dynamics, Impact and Prevention of Harassment in Middle and High School”, Journal of Social Issues special issue entitled "Reducing Prejudice and Promoting Social Inclusion: Integrating Research, Theory and Practice on Intergroup Relations" (2006)
My Journey From Prosecution to Prevention, A web article in the Spring 2003 issue of Teaching Tolerance Magazine, a publication of the Southern Poverty Law Center, www.teachingtolerance.org.
“It’s Hard to Learn When You’re Scared”, Educational Leadership (Vol. 61, No. 1, September, 2003)
“Sticks and Stones”, Educational Leadership, (Vol. 58, No. 4, December-January 2000-2001) (Received Distinguished Achievement Award for the article from Association of Educational Publishers.)
Reports
Discrimination Against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals In Maine, Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence, (October, 2005)
Homeless and Hated: Bias Motivated Violence, Degradation and Discrimination Against Maine’s Homeless, Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence, (February, 2005).
The Fractured American Dream: The Destructive Impact of U.S. Anti-Terrorism Policy on Muslim, Latino and Other Immigrants and Refugees Two Years After September 11, 2001, Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence, (November, 2003).
After 9-11: Understanding the Impact on Muslim Communities in Maine, Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence, (June, 2002).
Chapters
Hate Crimes on Campus in Restorative Justice on Campus, D. Karp and T. Allena (Charles C. Thomas, to be published in late 2004)
U.S. Department of Justice Publications
Promising Practices Against Hate Crimes: Five State and Local Demonstration Projects: Bureau of Justice Assistance, United States Department of Justice (2000) (Published in Hate and Bias Crime, Barbara Perry, Ed. (2003)
Addressing Hate Crimes on Campus: A monograph for the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the United States Department of Justice (2001)
Instructor’s Guide to Responding to Hate Crimes, BJA Roll Call Training Video for Police Officers: Bureau of Justice Assistance, United States Department of Justice (2000)
Addressing Hate Crimes: Six Initiatives That are Enhancing the Efforts of Criminal Justice Practitioners: Bureau of Justice Assistance, United States Department of Justice (2000)
Recognition and Awards:
2008 Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, Education/Business Partnership Award Winner
2003 Dirigo Alliance, Leader for Change Award
2002 Maine Bar Foundation, Howard Dana Award for services provided to Maine's vulnerable populations
2001 The Association of Educational Publishers, Distinguished Achievement Award for article published in Educational Leadership
Mr. Wessler has received recognitions or awards for his work in civil rights from GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) (1999), the Maine Education Association (1997), the Maine Children’s Alliance (1997), the Maine Civil Liberties Union (1996), the Portland Branch of the NAACP (1994), the Jewish Federation of Southern Maine (1994), and the Maine Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance (1993).
