An upcoming panel seeks to broaden area residents’ understanding of what local agencies are doing to combat sexual assault and abuse, the Douglas County Sexual Assault Response Team said in a news release.

The panel, scheduled for Monday, will consist of representatives from the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, the Lawrence Police Department, the University of Kansas, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center.

The Sexual Assault Response Team provides medical and forensic exams as well as advocacy and criminal justice services to sexual assault and abuse victims. The organization’s upcoming panel is meant to open a dialogue between the community and groups who provide aid to victims.

The panel will lead a discussion “to highlight what is currently being done to address the issue of sexual trauma and abuse in the community,” the release said.

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions at the event.

The panel will be in the Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. The event is free and open to the public.