‘Kristin’s Story’ shows effects of depression

A mother’s story of her daughter’s struggle with the depression and rape that ultimately led to her daugher’s suicide was told to JMU students on Monday evening.

"Rape is a crime of uniquely intimate cruelty," Andrea Fuller Cooper said.

Cooper told the story of her daughter Kristin, who would be turning 30 on March 31 if she were still alive.

Cooper has spoken to over 80,000 college students across the country in the past seven years, emphasizing awareness of rape and depression as well as its repercussions. Cooper said it was important to look for signs of depression in order to prevent future problems and to have open communication with loved ones when confronting such heavy issues.

Cooper said Kristin appeared to be a typical teen, overcoming the rocky middle school years and going on to love high school. She became involved with music, theater, swimming and lifeguarding from ages 16 to 20. Kristin attended Baker University in Kansas and joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and, within a few weeks, Kristin had a boyfriend.

After about one year of dating, Kristin’s boyfriend broke up with her. On New Year’s Eve 1995, Cooper and her husband returned home to see Kristin’s car at the house. Entering their home, Cooper heard Alanis Morissette blaring. First believing that Kristin had passed out from alcohol poisoning, Cooper quickly discovered that Kristin had shot herself.

Kristin’s parents later learned from her journal that the breakup between Kristin and her first love was because Kristin had finally found the courage to tell her boyfriend that a fellow lifeguard had raped her.Her boyfriend’s response was to end his relationship with Kristin.

"I think it’s amazing that she can tell this story about her daughter," sophomore Amanda Graham said.
Junior Adrian White said, "A lot of people aren’t aware that [rape] happens on a daily basis and with people that you know."

The event was sponsored by the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils and Delta Delta Delta sorority.