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Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Youth violence campaigner begs third Swinney summit 'cannot be another talking shop'
Vicky Donald, whose teenage daughter was attacked on a school bus, pleaded: "Let's hope another child doesn't die in between this summit and the next." The mum of a schoolgirl who was brutally battered on a school bus has begged "this cannot be another talking shop" after John Swinney announced a third summit on youth violence. Vicky Donald's 15-year-old daughter, Kaylynn, was attacked during the journey on her way home from class in Ladybank, Fife, two years ago. Since then she has called for urgent action as a youth violence epidemic grips Scotland. The latest summit, and her renewed plea, comes in the wake of three blade tragedies in the last 12 months, including the deaths of 16-year-old Kory McCrimmon on May 31, 2024, Amen Teklay, 15, on March 5 this year and Kayden Moy, 16, on May 17 just last month. All three deaths have taken place amid the Record's youth violence campaign, Our Kids ... Our Future, which launched two years ago after we highlighted a concerning series of attacks on teens. As part of the campaign, we have demanded the Scottish Government to invest in young people and in initiatives to prevent violence. stop more kids from dying. "If not, then let's hope another child doesn't die in between this summit and the next." The emergency event will hear from the Justice and Education Secretaries, Ministers for Children and for Victims and Community Safety, as well as cross-party MSPs, youth workers and partners delivering violence reduction and other community programmes for young people. The gathering is expected to focus on actions through education and community engagement with young people at risk of violence and prevent them from turning to antisocial behaviour or crime - including carrying a weapon. It is the third event of its kind after similar summits were held in September 2023 and in January. During the most recent event, Vicky, Kaylynn, other victims and their families met with Swinney at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh to tell them how their attacks had impacted their lives. The sit-down was secured after Kaylynn - who was left requiring mental health support following her beating in October 2022 - demanded the First Minister to act urgently to prevent further tragedies. The family wrote to Swinney again after Kayden's death last month and slammed his government's "inaction" to combat youth violence. Vicky said: "My daughter and others already gave their time, their pain, and their voices at the last summit. They told the truth. "And what happened? More promises, more headlines—and no real change. It's become clear that this government hides behind words, summits, and staged concern. "While young people continue to suffer and communities live in fear, the First Minister offers talk instead of action. We don't need more polished statements—we need bold, immediate steps to make our streets safer. "After this, the Scottish Government simply cannot hold any more summits. "They've now heard from teachers, experts, victims and their families so by now, they should have a good picture of how bad the issue of youth violence is. "Until action is taken, all this is just theatre." Three teenage boys aged 14, 15, and 16 have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Amen, an Eritrean refugee, in Glasgow's Maryhill. In recent weeks, three teenage boys – a pair aged 17 and a 14-year-old – have appeared in court charged with the murder of Kayden, who was allegedly attacked on Irvine Beach in North Ayrshire, and died in hospital. And just last month, a 14-year-old boy was sentenced to five years detention after admitting culpable homicide following the death of Kory at Glasgow's Greenfield Park last year. Ahead of Thursday's summit, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice Angela Constance said: 'It's important to be clear that Scotland remains a safe place to live. "But more needs to be done to change the attitudes and behaviours of some who are at risk of violence, or those young people who are considering carrying a weapon. There is no place for violence in Scotland and anyone who commits a crime, will face the consequences. 'Our work remains focused on ensuring our prevention and punishment measures respond to the changing behaviours of young people. This includes ensuring good school and community engagement with young people, appropriate police powers and tackling the root causes of violence. 'At this meeting we want to hear the views of the youth work and third sector representatives on what more, or different, can be done, within the current financial climate, to help address this issue. The role of youth work and grassroot community intervention is key. We all must work together to help young people feel safe and realise that carrying a knife is never the answer.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Three teens dead in a year is a political failure that needs urgent action
Vicky Donald has led the way in raising awareness of the epidemic of violence that has damaged the lives of too many youngsters across Scotland. The mum from Fife felt the need to first speak out after footage of her teenage daughter being attacked by bullies was uploaded to social media and widely shared. It took Vicky's bravery and the Record's long-running Our Kids... Our Future campaign on youth violence to push the issue up the political agenda. But while the risks of online harm are becoming more widely known, the epidemic of teenage violence on our streets shows no signs of slowing down. The shocking death of Kayden Moy last weekend will have struck fear into every parent across the country. The popular 16-year-old suffered fatal stab wounds while on a day out at Irvine beach with his friends. The attack came just two months after Amen Teklay, 15, died after being stabbed on a Glasgow street on March 5. And almost a year ago Kory McCrimmon, 16, was stabbed to death, also in Glasgow. These tragic incidents may have occurred in isolation but they are part of an alarming trend. It's clear that too many teenagers are prepared to arm themselves with knives and use them with violent intent. This is often fuelled by an online world of threats and intimidation played out on social media. It can then spill out into real life with tragic consequences. It's in this context Vicky has felt the need to write to John Swinney warning that more youngsters could die unless action is taken now. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Her letter is the second of its kind, with the mum previously penning similar correspondence to the First Minister when teenager Kory was stabbed through the heart last year. Vicky argues that nothing has changed since the government held a cross-party summit on youth violence. The Scottish Government points out Police Scotland is operationally independent. But the SNP leader must take a stance. A clear message must be sent that enough is enough. Schools must be given the power to properly punish youngsters who choose violence. And police must ensure those who break the law are dealt with firmly. Scotland was once a beacon for others to follow on violence reduction. That involved rooting dedicated police officers in every community as well as big investments in diversionary programmes for youths. This must now be a top priority for John Swinney – as one violent teen death is one too many. Three in a year is a political failure that requires urgent action to stop the carnage.
