On 5 August 2009, the government announced £3million funding to support victims of rape and sexual violence.
The money will fund Rape Crisis Centres and other organisations supporting victims of rape and sexual violence, as well as funding 15 existing and 8 new Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and 43 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) to offer practical support for victims of sexual violence.
We are very pleased that this funding should mean that no Rape Crisis Centres will need to close before the end of this financial year, but we are disappointed that there is still no long-term sustainable funding for such vital services. We also know that many Rape Crisis Centres are still facing a shortfall in the funds they need to deliver all their services. We hope a solution can be found soon, so that services no longer need to rely on 'emergency' or 'special' funds to deliver their fundamental services to vulnerable women.
Boris announces new Rape Crisis Centre in London
Earlier this week, Boris Johnson announced the creation of a
new Rape Crisis Centre in London. The new centre will be based in Ealing. The Greater London Authority has agreed to make £375,000 available over the next three years to part-fund a new rape crisis centre in West London and is in talks with Ealing Council about the possibility of locating the new centre in the borough.
The only Rape Crisis Centre in London at the moment, which is in
Croydon, will receive £260,000 to expand its helpline and increase prevention work with young people.
We welcome this new funding for Rape Crisis Centres and hope that this is the first step towards Boris Johnson honouring his manifesto commitment to fund Rape Crisis Centres to the tune of £2.23m over three years - £744,000 a year.