A "peaceful protest" is taking place in Mount Maunganui this afternoon, after a nine month home detention sentence was given to a teenager who raped four girls when they were aged 15.

The protest, organised by friend of the four girls, Spencer McNeil, is one of many peaceful protests taking place across the country following the sentence.

'I just felt I had to do something. You can get judged as a guy, so I hesitated at first, but then thought about what the girls have been through. And what girls go through and are afraid to speak out – because of things like this – this ridiculous sentence, so I thought, this is so wrong," says Spencer.

Peaceful protesters Zoe Wilson (left), and Maya Manoit. Photo: Georgia Minkhorst/SunLive.

Protester Zoe Wilson says they are gathered as the offender, Jayden Meyer, "deserves more than he has gotten".

"We've been to school with these girls. This a good chance to protest against what has happened," says Zoe.

"We are here to get justice, and to bring hope that if something like this happens again, it won't turn out the way this has.

"We want to show victims that everyone has their back in this situation. It is a traumatic thing, but we hope to show people don't need to be scared to speak out."

Friend of Zoe and fellow protester Maya Manoit says "by showing we aren't okay with this situation, hopefully we will see some changes with what is going on".

Maya describes the feeling of the protest as "supportive and loving".

"We support the victims, and we love them."

Peaceful protestors Gaynd Wickrama (left), and Byron Kenealy. Photo: Georgia Minkhorst/Sunlive.

Byron Kenealy, another protest attendee in Mount Maunganui, says he is "showing up" for what he believes in.

"I don't think it is at all right what the judicial system is doing here. There is no way the punishment is justified," says Byron.

"The fact people can go out and cause traumatic experiences that will impact people for the rest of their lives, and only get nine months at home isn't right."

Gaynd Wickrama says he is attending the protest to see "any change".

"Nine months is pathetic. It's nothing. Someone that does something like this should be in a prison cell for at least a few years," says Gaynd.

"If you want to make an impact on someone, you need to punish them and show them what they did was wrong.

"We just want a punishment that is impactful and will let him know that what he did was wrong."

Photo: Georgia Minkhorst/Sunlive.

"We are all here to support what the girls are going through, and we want people to stand up if this is something that has happened to you," says Byron.

"As much as the system doesn't want to recognise the severity, we are trying to reflect the passion we have on this issue, and that people will stand up for you."

- Additional reporting by Annemarie Quill/Stuff.co.nz.