Lovely post. Feeling safe is more than just physical safety although that is important. However, it is also feeling comfortable in one's own skin and also feeling and knowing that one is cherished and appreciated. As a result, it is also mental safety. If that is absent then anxiety will be the order of the day.
From your story, it is understandable that you searched for and found safety. It is great that at some point you chose for safety from a "good" environment. Safety is the comfort and security we seek to safeguard ourselves in various ways. I agree with you - safety comes via our relationships and everyone needs it - irrespective of gender.
It's true. You see a lot of posts on twitter about how the man protects the woman. But the woman also protects the man.
The man is often unaware, but the woman nests and makes him a really nice comfortable home for him to be safe in -- and woe betide anyone that threatens that peaceful tranquillity :)