It is easier to claim to be violent before a situation arises where your bluff is called; but the thought of a light stoning afterwards might be a disincentive to take the law into one's own hands. Especially if you broadcast your intention before the event.
My grand mother always told me that if a man ever beat me, lightly or not, I was to wait for him to go to sleep and beat him with the fire poker. She said that I might get another beating but he'd always have to sleep with one eye open.
My grandmother advised using the frying pan (she had a cast iron one)....but to tell him you would do it long before there was any prospect of him lifting his hands to you.....seems to have worked for me so far ....