They chanted loud and clear repeatedly: "Real men don't rape."

A militant yet sombre crowd gathered yesterday at the Silent Gardens monument, at the corner of Church and Tower streets in downtown Kingston, to join the protest of the rape of two women and three girls in St James.

Placards reading 'Stop the violence now' and other sentiments were hoisted and motorists paused long enough to shout their approval of the action. Kingston Mayor Angela Brown Burke urged people not to hide the wrongdoing of their relatives, loved ones and friends.

"Whoever they are to us, make them know for sure it is not acceptable."

Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna also called on the gathering to be vigilant not just for girls, as boys were also being targeted.

"The time has come. If we are serious about the next 50 years, let us make a national outcry that enough is enough."