Katie Koestner grew up like many other girls do. Playing field hockey, taking piano lessons and dreaming about how her future would turn out. She never imagined her future would involve going to college and meeting a guy who she thought was Prince Charming but instead became her worst nightmare.

Koestner, the first woman to speak out publicly about date rape, will present her “No-Yes” speech, her personal survivor story about the night she was raped her freshman year in college. Koestner will speak at the Kent Student Center Ballroom 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.

Koestner will intertwine the story of her personal journey from victim to survivor to spokesperson with discussion about responsibility with alcohol, gender communication, consent, self-respect and others.

Koestner said the purpose of her presentation is to inspire both men and women with her personal story woven together with the stories of students across the country and their experiences and courageous acts to help others.

Women between the ages of 16 to 24 are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted, which makes high school and college years the most vulnerable for women, according to the U.S. Department of Justice website.

“One in four women and one in eight men is raped or sexually assaulted in their lifetime, so if you are someone just thinking ‘this doesn’t apply to me,’” Koestner said. “Think of one in four women you know — mothers, sisters, female friends or daughters — and take the hour now and come to a program that might help you help them.”

This event is free and is sponsored by the Women’s Center, Sexual Assault Response Team, Center for Student Involvement, Residence Services, Kent State Police Services, Office of Student Success and University Health Services.

For more information about the event, students can contact the Women’s Center.

Contact Amanda Crumm at [email protected].