Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

A group led by Sally Porteous, custos of Manchester, yesterday morning gathered outside the Mandeville Courthouse to show their sympathy for the five victims, including an eight-year-old girl, who were brutally raped in Irwin, St James, on Monday.

The near 30 women and a few men, most of whom were dressed in black, joined hands and prayed for the victims in St James and other persons who have been raped and abused.

Porteous said: "We are not demonstrating against anybody, we are standing in solidarity and sympathy for all those women who have been raped, all those children, both girls and boys, anybody who has been sexually abused."

She added: "I am asking the people of Jamaica, including the justices of the peace in the communities from one end of Manchester to the other, to look out for and let us try to help those persons who have been abused. Help them to come forward and report it to the police."

rural@gleanerjm.com