i grew up with a lot of women, and while i will protect them all in the face of some external threat without hesitation or regard for consequence, i have made it very clear to the women that i associate with that i have no qualms about beating the hell out of them under various (extreme) circumstances.
its amazing how some really fiesty women stop short at a glance once you pull the rug of their own misconception out from under their feet. not that i am a violent person, mind. i dont start fights, but i wont tolerate bullshit - and the drama queens who lean on mens reluctance to hit a woman while they scream/slap up a storm arent willing to take the chance, it seems
learn a couple of joint locks, and use them next time she decides to hit you. the reality of how much stronger/faster men are, and how much damage they can take without giving a shit isnt real until they experience it
have fun