Mayor Boris Johnson announces plans for rape crisis centre for Ealing (From Ealing Times)

Mayor Boris Johnson announces plans for rape crisis centre for Ealing

10:55am Monday 3rd August 2009

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MAYOR of London, Boris Johnson has today announced the doubling of rape crisis provision in the capital with proposals to open a new rape crisis centre in Ealing.

The Greater London Authority has agreed to make £375,000 available over the next three years to part-fund the new rape crisis centre and is in talks with Ealing Council.

Mr Johnson said: "For far too long some of the most vulnerable Londoners have suffered from appalling under-funding of rape crisis support in the capital. It is staggering that there was just one rape crisis centre for a city of seven million people.

"I applaud all those who have worked tirelessly with us to make this happen, particularly Croydon council and Ealing Council for their enthusiastic response to our proposals."

Ealing Council Leader, Councillor Jason Stacey, said: "Providing the proper support for victims of rape and domestic violence is very important to us and we have been very keen to expand the provision of services to help victims in Ealing and across west London.

"We are very excited by the possibilities offered by the GLA funding. We’re looking into the implications and have already begun to identify possible locations for a new rape and domestic violence service and we will work with our partners to make sure whatever option is finally selected is a great success.”

Lee Eggleston, chairwoman of Rape Crisis (England and Wales) said: "We are delighted that the Mayor’s office has taken the initiative to address the historic under-funding of Rape Crisis provision in London. We look forward to working with the GLA on the further development of Rape Crisis services across the capital to ensure that all women and girls who have experienced sexual violence are able to access the full range of high quality independent specialist support that affiliated groups provide.”

The Greater London Authority has agreed to provide £375,000 over the next three years to open a new rape crisis centre in west London.

Working together with the Mayor, Ealing council is looking at possible funding options for the centre and is currently in talks with surrounding boroughs.

Under the proposals the new centre would provide counselling for victims of rape and sexual assault as well as victims of domestic violence.

The Mayor also announced £260,000 of funding for Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASAC) in Croydon.

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