Some tolerance and considering circumstances is actually the sensible way to handle most anything. But that sounds like being "soft on crime", and the PR side is usually more important than the actual problem.
In the past, it was normal and encouraged to use any tools available to you to defend yourself. Psychological abuse is still abuse and you have the right to defend yourself, the most natural, available and effective immediate defensive tool being violence.
In recent years, violence has become a massive taboo. It's a tool that is universally labelled as bad no matter the circumstances. Instead, everyone is encouraged to portray a "good victim" by demonstrating helplessness and waiting/hoping for people in positions of power to help.