Violence in general is very uncouth...But you have to remember, each situation has its special circumstance. One thing's for sure, never get between a couple arguing, even if the man is physically abusing the woman.
I recall a friend of a friend of mine, who got out of his car in some plaza's parking lot, and across from a couple were arguing furiously. The man was beating the living day lights out of his girlfriend/wife. So the friend of a friend decides to step in and protect the lady from her abusive spouse. What happened next shocked the hell out of me when I heard...
Not only did my buddy get beaten up by the boyfriend, and I mean beaten to a pulp...when the cops showed up the girlfriend valiantly defended and sided with her b/f and accussed of my good samaritan buddy of assault. The police had enough werewithal not to charge him, after all the guy needed to see the paramedics and not get thrown in jail for trying to save the stupid, dumb, punching bag of a whore's life. To this day he isnt quite the same (jhe talks slower and I think he suffered a concussion).
The only women you ought to protect and look after...your mother, siblings and immediate relatives. That's it! Screw battered women, the law is on their side, and they have all the means to get out of abusive relationships here if they want to.
I personally believe that laying hands on a woman is as sadistic and pathetic an action you could take, but there are limits. I recall being in high school and joking around with this white girl about her tiara (some little crown she bought for the upcoming prom)...I said "where'd ya get that? the dollar store?"
Next thing I know...she slapped me right accross the face. In front of all my friends! Man, I lunged at her and slapped her accross the face right back, and you know how white people get marked all easily

That ho' had the imprint of my palm and 5 fingers on her face for a couple of days. She just walked out and didnt even cry, just got into this car with her other girlfriends, who were all cussing me and threatening to have their boyfriends beat the shitt out of me.
I didnt even know the b1tch too well, but a few days later someone tells me she had a cocaine problem and when she's all coked out, she acted irrational and 'in your face like that'

that was the only time I ever had to hurt a girl physically.