Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Allow me to clarify one point first, the fact that someone hits you does not give you the right to him them. In California and in most states, you have to right to use the amount of force necessary to repel an attack. That ends when the attack ends or the threat is over. If a person runs by and hits you and keeps running, by the time you get up the person is a block away, you do not have the right to hit that person because the threat is over. (Just wanted to clear that up, on the other hand you do not have to run or flee an attacker either)

As for verbal abuse, there is no right to physical touch a person in response to words. You have the right to stand there and exchange words but that would be it. (Long term verbal and emotional abuse at the hands of a spouse or partner may provide an affirmative defense, however I would not count on that)

In the situation that you described you could call the police and you may even get restraining order against this person. It sounds like you are very frustrated with this situation, I would caution you from doing anything drastic and I hope everything works out for you.