You’re probably right.
I had a similar discussion with my kids when they going to school. One son asked me if I would punish him if he got into a fight at school. I told him that I did not want him to get into a fight at school. I told him that even if he fought back, and he was right, he would get into trouble from the school authorities. Then I told him that under no circumstances did I ever want him to stand there and let someone punch and slap him. I told him, basically, to kick their ass. If he was right, I would support him. I asked him if he understood what I was trying to tell him, and he did!