Your hu*****and's behavior is completely unacceptable. It amounts to, without doubt, child abuse.It must be horrible for your kids to see their parents engage in physical violence, though I understand it's your knee jerk reaction out of maternal instinct to protect the young. I feel for you and your kids.
Your hu*****and, however, must be stopped. I would recommend a stepwise approach.
- Have discussion with him trying to make him see the light;
- If that fails, try to seek out counseling;
- If that yet again fails, bring separation into the discussion. It's for the good of both you and your children.
Hope everything works out for you.