John Swinney confirms new youth violence summit as statements to be led by school bus attack victim

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A fresh summit on youth violence will be held in Scotland with statements to be led by the teenage victim of a brutal school bus attack.

First Minister John Swinney confirmed the move with the Record last night after meeting with 14-year-old Kaylynn Donald and her mum, Vicky, at Bute House in August. The monumental sit-down was secured by the courageous youngster after Vicky, 38, penned an open letter to Swinney in June, calling for urgent action following the 'senseless' death of 16-year-old Kory McCrimmon in Glasgow.

The teenager died after a disturbance at the city's Greenfield Park and a 13-year-old boy has since been charged with his murder. Vicky, from Fife, has campaigned tirelessly against youth violence since the Kaylynn was savagely assaulted on a school bus in 2022.

Then aged just 12, Kaylynn set upon by two other girls as she made her way home from class. The incident, which was filmed by onlookers and uploaded to social media, left the schoolgirl humiliated, suicidal and requiring mental health support.

During their meeting with Swinney, the mother and daughter pleaded with the First Minister to hold a new summit on youth violence that will hear directly from victims and their families. A similar summit held last year - which excluded victims and was held behind closed doors - was slammed by campaigners as "nothing more than a talking shop".

Speaking to the Record on Friday, Swinney said: “When I met Kaylynn Donald and her mum Vicky, they asked if I would organise a cross-party summit to discuss how we address violence among young people. I committed to doing so because I share their concerns and believe it is important to hear directly from affected young people and their families.

"We will hold the summit in January to build a shared understanding of this complex issue, ensuring appropriate support is in place for the young people participating.”

The emergency event will take place at the Scottish Parliament on January 13. It comes amid the Record's appluaded Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which was launched in February last year after we reported on a spate of sickening attacks on children across the country.

As part of the campaign, we have called on the Scottish Government to ring-fence funding for safe spaces for youths to attend in every area of Scotland. We have also demanded social media giants to remove violent online clips of teens from their platforms before they go viral.

Reacting to the news, Vicky said: "I'm delighted that we have got a date secured and that something is officially in place to tackle this issue. Action needs to be taken now because it can't continue the way it is going. If it does continue, then we will be without a next generation.

"We are elated that the event will be made public with members of every political party in attendance and that it won't be held behind closed doors. It's important that we have politicians from every party at this event - the only way we can move forward is by doing it in unison.

"We are so thankful to the Daily Record and its Our Kids ... Our Future campaign for giving Kaylynn a voice and for giving her the platform to make a difference to future generations."

It is anticipated that organisers behind the summit will invite other child victims, including 14-year-old Abbie Jarvis, to share their stories with politicians. Abbie was battered in a skatepark in Glasgow just weeks before Kaylynn's attack and was hospitalised for several days.

She has since been unable to return to school and has been diagnosed with PTSD. The Record understands that prior to the summit, victims like Abbie and Kaylynn will be able to participate in the event's design work to ensure their voices are heard.

Abbie's mum Angela said: "I’m chuffed to hear that John Swinney and his government want to hear from victims and their families

“It feels like we are finally being listened to.

“Giving us a voice and a platform is a step in the right direction and I hope this can finally lead to some change.

“It cannot go on the way that it has done for so long now.”

Children's charity Kibble will work with participants to ensure that there will be a safe atmosphere for them to speak freely and share their ideas on how to address violence among young people.

Vicky continued: "Victims and their stories must be heard by those making the decisions. They need to hear first-hand how violence can devastate the life of a young person and their families.

"Politicians must hear first-hand about the act of violence in itself and its aftermath. By hearing from kids who have been through it, it will be raw and that is so, so important.

"The Scottish Government has already made great progress when it comes to tackling bullying and youth violence but there is still a long way to go. The summit last year was probably set out with best intentions but without hearing directly from those with lived experiences, baseless decisions will be made.

"I am putting my full weight behind Swinney. I'm confident that he genuinely wants to make things better for our kids and the next generation."

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