Torquay school girl Kitty takes centre stage at national party conference

Kitty Dawson on the stage and big screen at the national Liberal Democrat party conference | Submitted

placeholder image — Kitty Dawson on the stage and big screen at the national Liberal Democrat party conference | Submitted

Torquay Girls’ Grammar School student’s standing ovation after speaking out about violence towards women and girls

Life has returned to normality for Torquay schoolgirl Kitty Dawson after a star performance at a national political conference.

The Year 9 Torquay Girls’ Grammar School student was invited to speak about violence against women and girls in the digital era at the Lib Dems’ annual party conference in Brighton.

Speaking confidently in front of an audience of more than 2,000 people, she delivered a powerful call for change, earning a standing ovation for her efforts.

A TGGS spokesperson said: “We are especially proud that Kitty referenced TGGS and our Sixth Form students' Safety in the Workplace Campaign, highlighting the impact of their work on this important issue.”

The praise continued afterwards, with the spokesperson for Women and Equalities admitting she wasn't sure how to follow Kitty's speech, whilst senior political figures congratulated her.

Kitty Dawson at the national Liberal Democrat party conference | Submitted

“An incredible achievement and a fantastic example of a young person using her voice to make a difference. We couldn't be prouder of Kitty,” said the school spokesperson.

Kitty, 13 and from Dawlish, delivered her speech in just a few minutes but it packed a punch after which delegates in the venue were on their feet applauding.

She told the conference: “To challenge and change has to be a collaboration between Westminster, girls and supportive organisations. Misogynistic content is becoming an accepted part of what we young people see when we pick up our phones. This should not be normalised.”

She appealed: “Don't wait for my generation to grow up and then tell you how bad it got. When we report abuse online, make sure someone actually acts. My generation's girls are depending on you.”

The four-day conference also saw Kitty's mum Rosie, a county, district and town councillor for Dawlish, speaking about the need for health visitors and better provision for new mothers and babies.

Cllr Dawson, who is also chairman of Devon County Council, told delegates: “Families haven't become less vulnerable in the last 15 years whilst we have witnessed drastic cuts in health visitor service. Their need for support hasn't disappeared. But too much of that support has. So let's rebuild it.”

Cllr Dawson said she was proud of Kitty: “When she saw the motion on Violence Against Women and Girls online she wanted to speak about people her age.”