The University of Richmond will host a series of panel discussions about domestic violence during October. The month has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Co-sponsored by the University of Richmond School of Law, University Police and the Center for Civic Engagement, the discussions will be held on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m., in the Brown-Alley Room, Weinstein Hall. They are free and open to the public. A light reception will follow each discussion.

Upcoming programs include the following:

• Oct. 9: What can victims of domestic violence do to fight back? Dione Bassett of the Henrico County Victim-Witness Assistance Program and Corinna Lain, associate professor of law, will discuss lethality assessments, self-protection measures and protective orders.
• Oct. 23: How does domestic violence between adults affect children? Nicki Lee, executive director of the Richmond YWCA, and Chris Carson, coordinator of the YWCA’s community violence services, will examine the influence of domestic violence on the short and long-term physical, emotional and psychological development of children.
• Oct 30: When and how is domestic violence a crime? Investigator Chris Eley of the Henrico County Police Department will explain the various ways in which domestic violence is a crime — and the circumstances in which it is not. He also will talk about police procedures and investigative techniques in handling domestic violence cases.

For more information, call (804) 287-8740.