A screenshot from one of the charity’s promotional videos (Picture: Channel 4)
A UK charity is being investigated over allegations that senior staff were homophobic towards LGBTI victims of human trafficking.
City Heart of Sheffield has been accused by dozens of patrons of homophobia conducted by senior staff at the charity.
It comes despite the charity claiming it supports people of all races, gender and sexuality.
The charity, run by Hope City Church, receives government funding via the Salvation Army.
Charity used ‘homophobic’ and ‘controlling’ methods
The investigation comes after a Channel 4 News report, in which two former residents of the ‘safe house’ came forward along with ex-staff members.
‘I found it quite humiliating as I’m not doing anything, I’m not spreading disease. I’m not going to infect them, said one woman, going by the name of Amelia.
‘One of the staff said like you have the devil in you and you have to change that. “They would ban any physical contact for me with people in the congregation, well women.
‘I’m not going to make them be gay,’ she told the broadcaster.
(Picture: City Hearts/Hope City Church)
‘Within the refuge you’ve got no control, they completely control you’
Another woman named Holly was placed in the charity’s care in 2011 after being rescued from abusers.
‘Although I’ve been abused by abusers in my past, this touches a different spot and is more painful.
‘Within the refuge you’ve got no control they completely control you from your finances to what you eat to your decisions and your communication with the outside world.
‘If you did watch TV it’s monitored but any mail coming in they would open your mail and if they didn’t want you to receive it then it would be discarded.
The charity said it seeks to ‘uphold the highest standards of excellence and diversity, and have been very disappointed to hear the allegations.’
Furthermore, a Charity Commission spokesperson described the allegations as ‘deeply distressing’
‘We are assessing Channel 4’s findings as a matter of urgency and require the trustees to respond to our questions.
‘We will also be engaging with the charity’s funder, the Salvation Army, to ensure it is carrying out appropriate due diligence checks on the partners it works with.’
The Home Office is also launching an investigation ‘to urgently look into what happened at City Hearts’.
Speaking to Gay Star News, The Salvation Army said: ‘The Salvation Army and some of our partners contributed to the drawing up of the Human Trafficking Foundation Care Standards.
‘We actively facilitate and encourage our subcontractors to adhere to the principles contained in these standards.’
