Kirsty started working in gender-based violence campaigning when she was 15, working with their local Rape Crisis in the Highlands. In this role she engaged with local schools, raising awareness of sexual violence and challenging harmful attitudes in a constructive way. Kirsty was also involved in organising and supporting the first Reclaim the Night March in the Highlands.

Upon moving to Glasgow, Kirsty has continued to use their expertise and passion to advocate for survivors and provide grassroots support. During her time at the Queen Margaret Union at the University of Glasgow, with instrumental help from other survivors in her life, Kirsty oversaw projects supporting survivors of sexual violence on campus, despite pushback from management and student bodies. Working closely with Glasgow Women’s Aid, Kirsty ensured free and confidential drop-in sessions with support workers were made accessible to all students on campus. She also did her time handing out free condoms and period products. Kirsty also was the key figure for raising awareness of the Emily Test on campus and advocated for cross-campus support to campaign for the university to take the Emily Test and achieve Charter status. 

During her time at university, Kirsty organised and co-facilitated the first survivor peer support group at the University of Glasgow. After graduating with a First in Politics, Kirsty co-founded a community organisation, Together We Survive, run by survivors for survivors, providing peer support, campaigning and survivor-led activism opportunities. This is her proudest achievement but she isn’t finished yet. Kirsty’s life goal is to turn Together We Survive into a national charity, providing inclusive and safe refuge and therapeutic community spaces for survivors from all backgrounds. 

Kirsty also advocates for survivors through her role as the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Services (SARCS) Network Patient Advocate for NHS Scotland and Rape Crisis Scotland. By drawing on her own lived experiences and those of survivors from across the country, Kirsty ensures service development centres the interests of past, present and future survivors.