Andrea Cooper is determined not to let her daughter’s final message go
unheard.

Twenty-year-old Kristin Cooper committed suicide in 1995 on New
Year’s Eve. The reason behind the tragedy was an acquaintance rape
several months prior that she kept secret from nearly everyone.

Andrea Cooper will return tonight to CMU to tell “Kristin’s Story: A
Story of Acquaintance Rape and Depression” at 9 p.m. at Real Food on
Campus.

Megan Crissman, event coordinator, said she hopes Andrea Cooper’s
speech will increase awareness of problems that largely go ignored.

“(Depression) is so easy to hide,” the Novi senior said. “People can
put on the happiest face and inside they’re dying.”

Crissman is a member of sponsor Alpha Chi Omega, which was Kristin
Cooper’s social sorority when she attended Baker College in Kansas.

Andrea Cooper learned of the acquaintance rape in the aftermath of
her daughter’s suicide.

Kristin Cooper confided in her long-time boyfriend, which led to
their breakup, worsening her depression. She took her own life four
months later.

This is Andrea Cooper’s second visit to CMU since she began touring
college campuses in 1998.

“I hope that by telling Kristin’s story other lives will be saved,
and other young women will not be victims of acquaintance rape, and
that those suffering from depression for any reason will get help,”
Cooper said in a press release.

Sexual Aggression Services Coordinator Stephen Thompson said one out
of every four female students is sexually assaulted while attending
college, and 95 percent of those go unreported.

“People don’t understand the trauma that people who are sexually
assaulted go through,” Thompson said.

Sexual Assault Peer Advocate members will be on hand during and
after Andrea Cooper’s speech to support those who may need them,
Thompson said.

The confidential counseling group’s hotline also can be reached by
calling 774-CALL (2255), or its new online chat option can be
reached through its Web site www.sapa.cmich.edu.

“Kristin’s Story” also is sponsored by national social sorority
Delta Delta Delta, Andrea Cooper’s former sorority.

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