Reclaiming Their Light: Paving the Way for Victims and Survivors of Stalking

TRIGGER WARNING: The following story includes references to stalking, kidnapping, and murder. We empower you to decide if this content is safe for you; if not, we welcome you to read the other journal entries on our website, here.

It was the fall of 1998, and Peggy Klinke’s life would change forever. As she entered a new chapter, Peggy became a first-year medical student in a new relationship that would rob more than anyone had imagined.   

After three years, Peggy ended her relationship with her partner, who would then, in turn, cause unbearable trauma to her and her loved ones. Shortly after, her stalking and victimization began, spanning a year – when her ex-partner would then brutally take her life and take his own life.

Her sister, Debbie Riddle, shared that loved ones often described Peggy as having a “sparkling personality” and the ability to light up any room. As the stalking and harassment continued and escalated, Debbie noticed her sister’s light would begin to fade.

Stalking and harassment are prevalent across the globe, leaving many of those affected to stand alone.

The grim reality is many victims are stalked by someone they know.

According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), 40% of victims will be stalked by current or former intimate partners, increasing the risk of intimate partner homicide by three times.

Twenty years later, Peggy’s light is reclaimed on behalf of all survivors and victims of stalking.

Today, January 18th, marks the 20th anniversary of Peggy Klinke’s murder, and, for the first time, the inaugural “Day of Action” for Stalking Awareness to commemorate her murder is enacted. This day is part of January’s annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), encouraging us all to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking.

The “Day of Action” reclaims the sparkle and light of all the victims and survivors of stalking, emphasizing the importance of taking action to support victims and the continued advocacy for a system that responds to this urgent and traumatic crime.

TRLA’s Response: A holistic and emotionally sound approach to supporting clients.

We’ve been allies to victims and survivors facing all types of domestic violence for over 25 years, including those who are victims of stalking. Leading all cases with empathy has allowed us to foster a holistic approach to supporting clients, especially those faced with life-altering situations.

TRLA is one of Texas’s leading legal aid programs that has spearheaded a social work team dedicated to working alongside attorneys to provide holistic services to survivors of violence.

Many years ago, TRLA attorneys realized the importance of intersecting the legal practice with social workers. As a direct response to a high number of cases that needed emotional support and safety planning while going through the legal process – our social work team was born.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Social Work team at the 21st Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Cross-Traning. From left to right: Jessica Camarillo, LMSW, Tami Maldonado, LMSW, Elizabeth Barrera Sepulveda, LPC, Linda Leal, MA,LBSW-IPR,CSWCM, Monica Diaz, LMSW, Alejandra Torres, LBSW, Myda Hernandez, LMSW and Daniela Castro, LBSW.

Today, other Texas judicial organizations follow in our footsteps to provide comprehensive services to victims and survivors.

The sole purpose of this team is to add the human element to the legal process – while our attorneys handle the legal component of a case, our social work team provides the emotional support and resources needed to overcome any legal battle, including safety planning, application assistance, mental health assessments, and court accompaniment and preparation.

The legal process isn’t equipped to provide in-depth emotional support to those facing life-threatening hardships, especially those dealing with extreme fear. This is why TRLA’s social workers serve as the guiding light for many facing specific crises. Under their care, clients aim to feel safe, heard, and empowered to create a life post-crisis that is fulfilling and without fear.

Stalking’s effects on Texans, barriers to justice and reporting.

“Stalking is one of the deadliest forms of violence,” says Monica Diaz, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and TRLA’s Social Work Team Supervisor. Texas Advocacy Project reports that 1 in 4 Texans report being a victim of stalking in their lifetime; typically, younger women between the ages of 16-24 will face the brunt of this.

Younger generations, often described as digital natives, use the term “stalking” loosely, says Diaz. Usually, the term “stalking” is used to describe an act done on social media involving the checking of someone's profile and images without their notice.

“While harmless in most cases, the use of this word has made it more difficult for the judicial system and local police to take stalking cases seriously,” says Diaz. In her experience with local police, Diaz finds it all too common for clients to be told: “No bruising or blood? We’re not taking the report.”

In the same vein, victims have expressed being labeled by local police as “the one who calls too much” or “the one who can’t be taken seriously.”

Diaz also shares that the crime of stalking is hard to prove, making evidence one of the barriers to justice. She often finds herself explaining to the judicial system the difference between “stalking” and “verbal harassment” – as she says, “verbal harassment makes you feel annoyed and frustrated. When fear arises, whether for your life or those around you, this is stalking, and all forms of violence should be taken seriously.”

The judicial system has not established a sense of urgency when it comes to the crime of stalking – as allies, our social workers encourage victims to document every instance of stalking using a Stalking Incident and Behavior Log (SPARC) and outdoor cameras to film outside your home and other locations you frequent.

“Even if it feels like no one is listening, keep doing it. The day will come when justice will be served,” says Diaz.

Against all odds, there is a path to freedom for victims and survivors.

A path to freedom does exist – and a sliver of hope keeps many victims and survivors afloat, that one day they’ll feel a sense of calm and safety.

In our experience as advocates, we’ve encountered judges, local police officers, and the U.S. Marshals Service who’ve responded urgently to this deadly crime. They’ve worked alongside us here at TRLA and other organizations to end stalking – giving victims their lives back.

Diaz recalls a case she worked on many years ago while in her tenure at TRLA about a mother whose children had been abducted by her stalker, the father of her children.

She explains, “The mother was thrown out of a moving vehicle while her children were inside. Her children were taken from her for over a year and a half, in which time the father would dress the children as the opposite sex while in hiding outside of the country.”

Over a year and a half later, Diaz would get a call from the U.S. Marshal Service that would change the mother’s life: “We found him and the children.” Their reunion was filled with love and hope for the future.

A judge later ruled that the father would have zero access to the children.

While this case gives us hope in the everchanging system, we must also recognize not all get to feel whole again – and for those, we see and stand with you in solidarity.

If you or a loved one are victims of stalking in need of legal help, please reach out to our toll-free hotline for more information at (956) 996-8752 or (833) 329-8752. If you are looking for more information on services for survivors of domestic violence, including how to locate the nearest domestic violence shelter, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.