I am a police officer’s wife.  I have been immersed in the law enforcement culture for the past 13 years.  There is a common belief among officers about doing whatever it takes to make sure you make it home at the end of a shift.  Well, I began thinking a few years ago, I have the same responsibility.  I am a wife, mother, daughter, and big sister.  I have as much responsibility to make it home at the end of the day as my husband does.  I believe it is my duty to educate and train myself to ensure, as much as humanly possible, that I make it home each day too.

Granted, I do not wear a bulletproof vest and a gun to work.  I do not knowingly run into gun fire to protect people I do not know.  I am NOT, IN ANY WAY, taking away from what police officers do for us every day.  I have the utmost respect for those who serve us in law enforcement and military, I could not do what they do.  I just realized, it could happen to me. 

It is not just the news which is full of stories about victims of violence.  My husband works in the city we live.  He is constantly coming into contact with people who have been assaulted or have assaulted someone else.  It could happen to me and it has happened to people I know.  I just knew there was more I could do about it than walk around waiting for the next time.  The next attack could be on me, my daughter, my mother or my sister.

It is no different for you.  You have a duty each and every day to stay safe and make it home to those who count on you.  What are you waiting for?  Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.  Yes life is busy, I get it.  We all use that excuse to avoid doing things from time to time.  What could honestly be more important than making sure you can make it home each and every day?  Sure women survive sexual assault, but they have to live with the memory of it day in and day out.  Some never recover from the experience.  I am not sure I can even consider that “making it home”.  Educate, train and empower yourself.  Don’t wait until it is too late.