Verbal Abuse

Women are commonly subjected to verbal abuse as often or more then physical abuse. Any attempts by another person to "isolate, threaten or intimidate" you is forms of emotional abuse. You should take this kind of commication seriously because it can generate to a more worse scenario. Under certain circumstances you can be protected under the "fighting words doctrine." You have the right to physically protect yourself if someone is doing you verbal harm. If you are typically a level-headed person and someone is verbally harrassing you; if in response you hit him then you can be protected under the "fighting words doctrine." So ladies if a guy is drawing the line; don't be hesitant to react in a physical manner. You can't let men impaticular verbally abuse you until there may be nothing left of your self-esteem. Confrontation is important before the victimizer is lead to believe that this kind of behavior is allowed.

-http://www.mtoomey.com/womenasvictims.html