Rape Alarm: Boris is forced by direct action to keep his promise and open rape crisis centres
London Mayor Boris Johnson has responded to the Rape Crisis campaign - which included direct action at City Hall - and will now meet his promise to support victims of sexual violence in the capital.
Three new Rape Crisis Centres will now finally open this year to offer vital support and advice to thousands of vulnerable women, the mayors office has confirmed.
Johnson promised the centres would open in his election manifesto to London paid for out of money saved from cuts in advertising budgets - but tried desperately to renague on the pledge.
A huge campaign sprang up to pressure the Conservative into a U-Turn, including women setting off rape alarms in City Hall, a group of campaigners - including ULU presidential candidate Clare Solomon - stopping him on his bike and consistent lobbying by Boris Keep Your Promise.
The first new centre will open in Ealing next month after the Mayor provided a grant of £375,000. However, even now members of the Boris Keep Your Promise fear the latest claims might turn out to be hot air.
Clare Solomon, who stopped Johnson literally in his tracks to question him about the missing funding, said: "It's disgraceful that Boris tried to renague on a promise to some of London's most vulnerable women and shows he would have said anything to get elected.
"We believe that Boris was finally forced to keep his promise through constant pressure, united campaigning and direct action. We will remain vigilant to make sure these services for women who have survived rape are protected."
Matty Mitford, spokesperson for Boris Keep Your Promise, 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."
Johnson was quoted in the Evening Standard saying: “With the Ealing Rape Crisis Centre ready to spring into action next month and new services in North and East London up and running by the end of the year, women in the capital will at last get the services they need and deserve."
