Daughter's rape, suicide inspire mother to help others
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 09/27/2006
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In remembering the story of her daughter's rape and suicide 11 years ago, one woman informed listeners the realities of acquaintance rape and its unfortunate effects Tuesday night.
"Rape is a crime of unique and individual cruelty," said Andrea Cooper. "While the body is mutilated, and the spirit is maimed."
Cooper took the stage with a sense of resilience and humor while speaking to more than 1000 students at Loeb Playhouse. The event was sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, the Panhellenic Association, the Office of the Dean of students and the Women's Resource Office.
"How many of you know somebody who has attempted or has committed suicide?" said Cooper.
To which almost all hands went in the air.
"It is the second leading killer in colleges today," Cooper said.
As the mother of a college student who committed suicide, Cooper says she knows just how real it is.
As she explained, her daughter's rape was more than her daughter could live with.
"She was raped by a friend she thought she could trust and she couldn't live with the hurt and the pain," said Cooper.
While Kristin dealt with her demons, she was plagued by depression for several months after her rape and before she committed suicide. On New Years Eve, her mother came home to find Kristin had shot herself and was dead on the family room floor.
"Rape is a crime of the heart for the victim, but it is a crime of convenience for the perpetrator," said Cooper.
Kristin was a sophomore and a member of Alpha Chi Omega at Baker University when she committed suicide following her rape by a friend.
Her mother has taken her story to more than 280 campuses, speaking to more than 80,000 students since her daughter's death in 1995. This is her third time speaking at Purdue.
"My goal in traveling is to help people like you," said Cooper, who emphasized that men have an important role in helping women deal with rape.
"This is really important for men, because you may be in position one day to help a friend, girlfriend or even sister," said Cooper.
Jake Langfield, a sophomore in the School of Pharmacy, thought the speech was very powerful. "It was completely different then I expected, with its focus toward men and all the informative information."
A rape counselor was on hand to answer any questions after the speech. Karen Fraser-Mills, from the Office of the Dean of students, said it was important for Kristin's story to be heard.
"There are not that many people that endure date rape and report it," said Fraser-Mills. "They tend to blame themselves, rather then placing the blame where it belongs."