ALTHOUGH there is less crime overall are in London, the number of reported rapes is on the increase.
Cases have risen by 29 per cent across the capital in the past year, a figure the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, warns could be the 'tip of the iceberg'.
It may be that the number of attacks is on the up, or simply that more victims have the courage to report such crimes. Nevertheless, concern about the situation has led to the creation of three new rape crisis centres in London, and the capital's only current centre in Croydon is to get more money.
Mr Johnson said: "Nobody should feel isolated when coping with the terrible aftermath of sexual abuse, which can take years to overcome.
"Before I was elected, the millions of women in our city had just a single service to turn to for support in the aftermath of sexual abuse.
"Today I'm tremendously proud to say that, despite tough cuts, we have delivered four rape crisis centres across London. Sexual violence is a crime that is often hidden and not spoken about, and I hope the new website will help women easily access the support and information they need."
The new centres will be in north, west and east London, with the existing Croydon centre covering south London. They will offer emotional support, as well as physical treatments and counselling for survivors.
Westminster Council is helping to set up the north London centre in Islington, which will also cover those in Kensington and Chelsea. Hammersmith and Fulham residents will be directed to the west London centre in Ealing.
Although the centres themselves will not be running until mid-January, there will be interim services in all areas to help victims of rape and sexual abuse.
At last Thursday's launch, a woman who had used the Croydon centre spoke about the help she had received.
She said: "Of all the professional services I had been referred to, this was the first place who actually got it, who actually understood what I was going through and what I needed.
"I saw a counsellor every week for 12 months and it is no overstatement to say that it saved my life. I could make a compelling financial case for the overwhelming need for more rape crisis centres in London. However, for me, and for countless other survivors, the human case is much more urgent and more real. The support I received saved my life."
As well as the new centres, a new website, www.rapecrisislondon.org has been set up to provide help for victims.
