RICHMOND (BCN) -- The recent gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside Richmond High  School's homecoming dance has brought communities throughout the nation  together in speaking out against the attack, including faith based  communities in the Bay Area.

Monday afternoon, a coalition of faith leaders from throughout the  Bay Area will hold a prayer vigil outside the school.

"This is the faith community's way of demonstrating our love and  support for the young lady as well as her family," said the Rev. Andre  Shumake, president of the Richmond Improvement Association, who is organizing  today's event along with the Oakland Baptist Ministers Union.

He said clergy from churches in Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco  and Vallejo will participate.

"It's across denominational lines," Shumake said. "It's not just a  Baptist or a Catholic event."

Shumake said the faith leaders will call for an increase in  volunteers at campuses throughout the district and for the schools to teach  about the concept of respect.

Police Chief Chris Magnus and West Contra Costa Unified School  District Superintendent Bruce Harter also plan to attend.

Participants will pray for the victim and her family, Shumake  said.

"We will be praying ... for the alleged perpetrators as well  because they need prayer," he said. "The young people who, for whatever  reason, feel that it's OK to do that kind of thing to a young lady."

Shumake graduated from Richmond High School in 1976. He said he  doesn't think something like this could have happened three decades ago.

"I believe back then you would have had someone who would have at  least tried to stop it because we were more connected during that time  period, we were more engaged with each other," he said.

The case has garnered national attention, in part because of  police reports that many people stood by watching the assault for more than  two hours before someone finally called police.

He said part of the problem is that when something goes wrong in a  group setting, individuals don't feel as much of a burden to take  responsibility.

"They don't make that call because they believe that somebody in  their group is going to do the right thing," he said.

One thing that will help, Shumake said, is for parents to get  involved in their kids' schools.

When Shumake was in school, he said, there was one mother who was  vigilant in making sure kids stayed out of trouble.

"She was such a strong force for us in that we knew we couldn't  act up because she lived in the community, and if we did so she would get  back and tell our parents," he said.

(Copyright 2009, Bay City News, All rights reserved.)