For a moment I was going to say that putting the opponent down to flee is the right thing to do. In the one I practice, it is the main goal rather than beating the person to the ground. That being said we are also taught to avoid this violence in all forms. The history to the arts that we practice come from monks and thus I keep that in mind strongly not to abuse what I have learned and focus on self control as well.
I know if I were to be engaged in fight let's say. I try to walk away, tell the person to back off, that I am not interested, can be resolved by speaking etc and it does not work. I will block myself if a punch were to come flying my way. Will I hit back? No. But if it keeps on happening, to avoid more hits, I would restrain the person in a manner where that person will fold to the ground without punches or kicks. A lock of the wrist lets say. If that person tries to fight back, he may suffer from a broken wrist. Once down I would tell that person very firmly to leave me alone.

Most of the times that can be avoided but what happens if the person persists and you have no one to support you? That is worst case scenario.

The way I see things; take your heart and look at it, like if you were holding it. It is healthy, bright in colour and beats rhythmically and beautifully. If you were to harm someone that heart turns a dark colour. Inch by inch it will turn by every hit, every emotional pain you cause.
The more you do, the harder it gets to heal from the darkness. The more you let yourself be the more your heart turns to black tar.

But if you do the opposite, the more your heart glows and the more love spreads and the stronger it becomes to then be able to spread upon the others.

I love your posts like this. Absolutely awesome!