Many people ask me why I don’t simply leave the area to protect myself. But the truth is, my safety isn’t just about distance — it’s about knowledge, awareness, and the support I have around me.

I am safest here, in the area I know intimately. I know the streets, the routines, and the environment — all the little details that help me notice potential risks and respond effectively. After experiencing extreme stress and trauma, I’ve learned that being in an unfamiliar place can actually increase vulnerability. Safety isn’t only physical; it’s also about being in a space where I feel in control and oriented.

The Guardia Civil know my situation. If anything were ever to happen, there are authorities here who understand the context and can act appropriately. That level of awareness and responsiveness simply wouldn’t exist if I were somewhere new.

Equally important is the network of friends, neighbors, and trusted people I have built around me. These are people who know me, understand my history, and can respond quickly if needed. My safety depends on having eyes and ears I can trust — people who can intervene, support, and advocate for me. Moving away would mean losing this network, and with it, a core layer of my protection.

Leaving might look like safety to some, but in reality, it would strip me of everything that actually keeps me safe: familiarity, awareness, trusted authorities, and the people I can rely on. For me, safety isn’t about avoiding danger entirely — it’s about being supported, being known, and being able to act with awareness and confidence.

That’s why I stay here. In the place I know, surrounded by people and systems I trust, I am protected. I can continue my recovery, maintain my strength, and live with stability — and that is the safest choice I can make for myself.