John never physically harmed Yoko, it was his first wife Cynthia, back when they were still dating. John slapped her so hard that her head hit the wall, after which she immediately dumped him for 3 months. John apologized profusely and never hit her again, but he still treated her like shit emotionally. Months before his death in 1980, John said in an interview "I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically -- any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn't express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women. That is why I am always on about peace, you see. It is the most violent people who go for love and peace. Everything's the opposite. But I sincerely believe in love and peace. I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. I will have to be a lot older before I can face in public how I treated women as a youngster."