State agencies step in to help children of murdered businesswoman

Aisha Corbie, manager of the police Victim and Witness Support Unit, said the children of Sherian Huggins, who was chopped to death by a male relative, are receiving pychosocial support from her unit and other agencies.

Huggins, 29, a businesswoman, was chopped with a cutlass on Wednesday morning at her home in Dan Kelly, Port of Spain and died at the scene.

Around 6am, about two hours later, the body of a man was found in Woodford Square, Port of Spain. The man was identified as Kevon Harris, Huggins’ husband. Police believe he took his own life.

Huggins had four children, one of whom, according to reports, witnessed the murder.

Corbie said her unit has been working alongside the homicide department during the investigative process, and the children as well as the relatives of both Huggins and Harris are being given support in terms of navigating their lives after the incident.

She said in addition to the Victim Support Unit, the Children’s Authority, the National Family Services and other agencies were collaborating to provide “the full umbrella of support” from the State. This will include counselling and appropriate grants and services, including help with preparations for funerals.

“We recognise the trauma of those children is significant and we wouldn’t want unresolved trauma leading to debilitating behaviour when they get older.”

She reiterated the Commissioner of Police’s call to report domestic violence matters to the police Gender-Based Violence Unit as well as to her unit.

“What is more disturbing is that this situation is not unique. It is something we are encountering too often in this country.”

She said domestic violence should concern everyone and encouraged people to report such even if they are unsure.

She added that people leave an abusive situation at home and believe they are safer ,but sometimes that action could trigger an “intense response” of violence and hostility in the other individual.

She therefore encouraged people to reach out to her unit, liaise with the Gender Unit, or send questions through the TTPS app so guidelines could be provided to help minimise similar occurrences.