[user104658]

I'm not excusing his actions or even condemning hers (they are understandable) - but any form of violence from anyone is never the right choice and should only ever be a last resort. Being totally blunt... no matter what he did, if he had hit his head awkwardly and died or suffered serious injury when she threw him down, she would have been charged and ended up in jail or (at the very least) with a violent criminal record. It's just the "stupid choice" - ALWAYS - Unless you are actively defending yourself from injury... and I do think it's important for people to remember that.

I also think shouting "Excuse me sir, would you mind not groping me?!? This man is going around groping women.", pointing at him, and making sure everyone in the room knew what he was doing would have been suitably shaming, and his partner would have known. If anything it might have been more effective, as the physical retaliation distracts from the actual issue.