If a woman attacks a man, he should restrain her, and then press charges if the situation warrants it. (Like in this article). If it's some significant other who is attacking, my advice would be to dump her as soon as possible.
If some tiny little guy is physically attacked by some amazon, then of course he needs to do what it takes to protect himself from serious injury... whatever it takes. But most men are in no danger from women.
But the point is, the majority of men, if kicked or slapped by some irate female, have no need to lay her out, so to speak. It only shows his weakness if he does that. Only the very weakest of men would "cold-cock" a woman who kicked him.
There are any number of violent women who can seriously hurt men, and the idea that they will be allowed to get away with it only emboldens them. Why should a man be obligated to act within the constraints of the notion that a violent woman can't hurt him when it isn't true?
If saying that makes me weak in your eyes, then so be it.