dg, emotions aside, realities are important to me.  As an owner of "junk," I can tell you that blows there are nowhere as devastating as some would like to believe.  In general, a big male can cream an average woman.  Many men will not hit a woman even if she hits him.  That is probably what happened in the case you cite even though you do not recognize it.  Encouraging women to be physically aggressive in cases where retaliation could be severe is a disservice on your part.  Your elevator example, as it was in a building with other people who would intervene within a minute or two when the elevator reached a destination, is a fabrication.  The man would not likely have intended aggression because intervention and penalty would have been imminent.  If indeed the woman attacked without physical provocation she should be charged with assault.  Surely you see that.