I understand feeling that way. You'll notice I kept it vague.

I have some tactical advantages over most women. I knew I could take this guy down if I needed to and I can afford the fallout, meaning if I get arrested for assault. I won't lose my job and I can pay for the legal process. Urchling is old enough now that I don't have to worry about CPS taking her from me should that take place and she can bail me out of jail and she can come take custody of the dog while the police haul me away for defending myself.

Those three things give me more leeway than most women have with these types of interactions.

But there is absolutely nothing in the world wrong or incorrect with examining the situation with a different calculus and making YOUR best decision based on that risk assessment for you. Please don't think me being dismissive or gaslighting here. Things are a little different for me for some very specific reasons.