Men are learning more and more that it is not acceptable to hit women . Women as well as men are learning this lesson. In many relationships , perhaps more so in the beginning ,there is a battle for dominance. In the past it was accepted that the man was the provider and the strenghth in a relationship. These dynamics have changed in modern times.
Also, if a woman is aware her husband is completely against physically abusing women, and maybe she does not posess the intelectual or emotional integrity to reason the common hurdles of life out with him , then yes she may resort herself to physical and emotional abuse.