Angelina Jolie urges 'keep your eyes open' for domestic abuse in lockdown

Angelina Jolie has urged people to “keep your eyes open” for domestic abuse during lockdown.

The actress, human rights campaigned and mother-of-six has recorded a video interview for Time magazine highlighting the increased risk of child abuse while families are in self isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jolie, 44, said: “I think it is so important that people hear that. To love each other, check in with each other.

“Be there, be a support group, keep your eyes open whether you are a teacher or a friend.

“I really do hope people hear this, and they do reach out, and they do pay more attention, and they are not sitting in a moment when they think, ‘Well maybe, but it’s not my business.’”

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The Hollywood star and UN ambassador was in conversation with California’s Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris about the effect of traumatic stress on children who witness domestic violence, as well as those who experience it.

Dr. Burke Harris asked Jolie how she exercises self-care after witnessing traumatic situations through her work.

Jolie said: “There was a time in my life when I became more aware of what was happening around the world. And I opened up and I hoped I could be useful.

“In the beginning I wrote a journal, just because I was crying all the time.

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“And then I remember this incredible grandmother who was taking care of all these kids, she’d lost all her siblings, and she saw me crying – and I thought I was being very emotional and connected – and she said, ‘I don’t need you to cry, I need you to help me.’

“So I thought I may have these feelings about things I may be witness to. But I need to put those feelings into actions.”

Jolie is mother to sons Maddox, 18, Pax, 15, daughters Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 13, and 11-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox 11.

The Oscar-winning actress filed for divorce from partner of 12 years Brad Pitt back in September 2016.They split after an alleged altercation he had with her eldest son Maddox.