Boris Johnson funds Ealing rape crisis centre

New rape crisis centres are to be opened in London after Boris Johnson was accused of failing to meet his promise to boost funding.

During his election campaign, the Mayor offered to deliver £2.2million over three years to provide care and support for the victims of a sexual assault.

But in April he was accused of "betraying women" after backtracking on the pledge.

Now he has pledged a cash injection of £375,000 to help start a new centre in Ealing. A further £260,000 in funding will also be given to the clinic in Croydon, currently the only rape crisis centre in the capital, to increase the number of staff.

The Mayor also plans to open two more centres in east and north London.

He said: "It is staggering that there was just one rape crisis centre. Today we are taking the first steps to redress that injustice."

Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre in Croydon, said: "Women in London deserve better rape crisis services. This money is an important step in the right direction."