Blog latest

Boris announces Rape Crisis Centres, but where's the money to insure their future?

Monday, 08 March 2010 16:45

After a long flight by campaigners, the Mayor today finally announced the three new Rape Crisis centres he promised during his election campaign nearly two years ago.

Matty Mitford, Spokesperson for the Boris Keep Your Promise Campaign said.

"I'm sure we join all other campaigns for Women in welcoming the new centres, it is a leap forward for vulnerable women in London. Our worry is that, since Boris cut his original funding pledge by 1.6 million, or over half, there is now no clear mention of who will pay for the centre's running costs. They Mayor's funding only lasts for two years, after which who will fund these new centres? With all councils facing huge cuts over the next few years, we could easily find ourselves in the position of having Rape Crisis Centres with no money to run them, all because Boris wouldn't award the money he promised in his manifesto."

David Babbs, Director of Campaigning Organisation 38 Degrees says, "We are glad to show that people-powered campaigning can really work. We will be keeping a close eye on Mayor Johnson to see his original promises are kept. It's the money that matters, not the press release."

Labour's policing spokesperson on the London Assembly, Joanne McCartney AM, said: "While of course this funding is welcome and will hopefully make a real difference, it is overdue and questions still remain about where the rest of the promised money is coming from. Boris Johnson did pledge to act immediately and to provide long-term funding but it's been a long time coming, falls short of the £2.2 million in his manifesto - meaning other organisations are now picking up a greater proportion of the cost of the mayor's pledge - and it's far from clear how sustainable in the long term this financial support is."