'You have the devil in you' - Sheffield charity probed over homophobia claims

A Sheffield charity isÂ being investigated over allegations that staff were homophobic towards victims of human trafficking who they were supposed to be helping.

Dozens of people who were referred to the City Hearts Charity have been speaking out over homophobic attitudes of some senior staff, controlling behaviour from management and receiving counselling from people without training.

The charity - which pledges to support people of all race, gender and sexuality - is run by the Hope City Church and receives government-funding via the Salvation Army as part of the UK’s human trafficking contract to help victims, which it was awarded in 2011.

But two former residents plus ex-staff members came for ward to tell a Channel 4 news investigation of a litany of issues within the organisation, which is based in a building just off the Sheffield Parkway near Park Hill.

The Megacentre where City Hearts is based.

One of those interviewed, who was given the fake name of Ameila to protect her identity, was trafficked to the UK from Eastern Europe but having escaped ended up in one of the charity’s safe houses.

She claimed that as a gay woman she was subjected to homophobia by some senior staff.

Amelia said: "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 found it quite humiliating as I’m not doing anything, I’m not spreading disease. I’m not going to infect them. I’m not going to make them be gay.”