California Lutheran University and Verizon are presenting a panel discussion on domestic violence from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Fri., Oct. 8 in CLU’s Lundring Events Center, Thousand Oaks.

The free event includes breakfast and observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It highlights the launch of CLU’s program for domestic violence survivors. An overview of “Telling Amy’s Story,” a PBS documentary following the timeline of a domestic violence homicide, will be shown.

Panelists are Catherine Dougan, director of the Ventura County district attorney’s office Victims’ Assistance Program; Morris Eagle, Ph.D., a clinical supervisor and CLU distinguished educator in residence; Caroline Prijatel Sutton, executive director of the Coalition to End Family Violence; Rick Vasquez, senior detective on the Oxnard Police Department’s Domestic Violence Investigation Team; and Anthony Wold, a supervising prosecutor in the district attorney’s office.

Mindy Puopolo, director of CLU’s Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program, will moderate.

The panelists will discuss the challenges to pre- venting domestic violence and will look at possible solutions, including CLU’s new program.

Funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program began in September at CLU’s Community Counseling Centers in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks.

The goal of this program is to provide long-term help to break the cycle of violence. The 20-week program was designed to give survivors tools for defusing volatile situations and protecting themselves.

Intimate partner violence is the leading cause of injury and death to American women. Studies estimate that 25 percent of women have been raped or physically assaulted by their current or former spouse, cohabitating partner or date at some time in their lives.

Reservations are required. RSVP to Jenna Knauss at jknauss@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3390.

Guests are encouraged to bring old wireless phones and accessories to donate to Verizon’s HopeLine program that supports domestic violence prevention agencies.