Date rape is an issue that has taken its toll on many campuses across the nation.

In the case of Kristin Cooper, the price paid was her life.

Cooper, who was a college student at the time, committed suicide because she couldn’t find an outlet for the immense depression that overcame her after she was sexually assaulted. She took her life while she was home for holiday break in 1995.

Andrea Cooper, Kristin’s mother, will be presenting her daughter’s story at 7 tonight in Stephens Auditorium in an effort to prevent date rape from occurring on the Iowa State campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Stacy Rhoades, vice president of risk management for the Panhellenic Council, said Cooper will be telling the story from the perspective of a mother who has lost her only daughter. Cooper had no idea that her daughter had been raped until after the suicide, when she found her daughter’s diary.

Rhoades, senior in graphic design, said what sets Cooper’s story apart from others about date rape is that it focuses on how to get help, not just on creating awareness about the issue.

“She educates her audiences on signal symptoms of rape and depression,” she said. “According to the FBI, a woman is raped every two and a half minutes. So even if this doesn’t affect you personally, it will probably affect someone you know.”

Cooper will be telling the audience members what they can do to help those people whom they know have been raped, and as a result, are suffering from depression.

Rhoades said she saw Cooper speak at a national fraternity and sorority convention, and her presentation was very moving.

Brian Tenclinger, program coordinator for Greek Affairs, also heard Cooper speak at the conference and agreed that it was very dynamic.

“The message Andrea sends is powerful — her daughter took her own life because she was afraid to ask for help. I hope that students at ISU who hear Andrea’s story will reach out to a friend, mentor or adviser. We are all here to help,” he said.

Cooper is being brought to ISU by the Delta Delta Delta National Sorority, Alpha Chi Omega National Sorority, Committee on Lectures, ISU women’s studies program, Story County Sexual Assault Response Team and the YWCA.