TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Thursday, Trojan Outreach raised awareness about domestic violence and encouraged people to speak up if they are a victim or know someone who is

According to the National Coalition of Domestic Violence, on average nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year this equates to more than 10 million women in men.

Despite those statistics, people may not realize they are being abused.

“Some signs in relationships specifically that you may be an abusive relationship are controlling and jealous behaviors,” said Trojan Outreach Meagan Chaudron.

Victims of domestic violence can experience significant physical and mental health consequences but how do we know when a friend or family member is a victim?

“Bruises, cuts, broken bones and they’ll be in various stages of healing,” Chaudron explained. “You also want to look for emotional and mental signs. The person may be withdrawing, they don’t hang out with their friends anymore, they don’t go to classes, they seem very depressed and isolated.”

According to Chaudron, Troy University has many helpful resources for victims of domestic violence.

“We have the counseling center and you only have to be enrolled in one credit hour and you get free counseling. We also have the East Central Mental Health that’s located in Pike County. There’s the House of Ruth, which is in Dothan, and there’s also just national hotlines for domestic violence that you can call as well.”

If you are someone you know is a victim of domestic violence you are urged to get help as soon as possible.