Andrea Cooper will tell the story of her daughter’s rape and suicide Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in The Union Ballroom.
Cooper, who found her daughter Kristin nine years ago after Kristin had shot herself in the head, spends her time talking to women about the need to protect themselves and giving advice on how to deal with rape after it happens.
In 1995, while Kristen was visiting home, a friend of two years raped her after his party.
She spoke to no one about the incident, except her boyfriend, who broke up with her afterward. The experience ultimately led to her suicide.
Nine years later, Andrea Cooper is still touring college campuses and women’s groups, recounting her daughter’s experience. Through funds granted by the Delta Foundation and permission of the Panhellenic Council, Andrea Cooper will warn college women about rape, depression and suicide on campus.
“I encourage all women on campus to go. It’s important that you are aware of this topic,” said Julie Hight, philanthropy chair of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Kendra Chapatwala, also a member of the sorority, sent out applications for the grants, which only funded 20 schools. She agreed with Hight, saying, “Women are our main target because it’s more personable for them.”
“Not that we are trying to exclude the men; they are invited, too,” she added.
The sorority also targets high school junior and senior girls, students who live in residence halls and women athletes.
“This conference is for non-Greeks as well as Greeks,” Chapatwala said.
Leigh Jensen coordinates the sexual assault response team at the Longest Student Health Center. Her duties include coordinating prevention of sexual battery, recommendation of victims and counseling.
She said her research contradicts the notion that most victims are raped by strangers. Jensen said “acquaintance rape” is a frequent occurrence around college atmospheres.
“A high percentage of college students are involved in dating, often with individuals that they do not know very well,” she said. “Approximately 85 percent of college student rapes reported are acquaintance rapes.”
Jensen also found that suicide strongly correlates as an aftermath of sexual assault.
“About 50 percent of women who are raped attempt suicide, so this group is a very high risk,” she said. “That is one of the reasons it is so important for survivors of sexual assault to see a counselor.”