Even though multiculturalism and cultural diversity awareness have focused the efforts of counselors and other school officials on differences among students, prejudice and stereotypes continue to prevail. How prejudice and stereotypes affect perceptions of violent youthful offenders should be a topic of discussion when authorities consider ways of addressing school violence. Media images often portray violent offenders as individuals from low socioeconomic status and from minority groups, stereotypes that are not always supported by reality. An accurate profile of violent youthful offenders should be based on a comprehensive and standardized school violence reporting system and an analysis of family characteristics that may be related to risk of violence. School officials should recognize that any child, regardless of racial origin or socioeconomic status, is capable of violence. In addition, they should consider available research that will help them determine traits of potential violent youthful offenders and best practices for dealing with such young people. If school officials are willing to acknowledge these traits and biases, the result will be more accurate assessment, prevention, and intervention. 29 references