I'm not quite as severe as that (I don't auto-assault unless tickling is involved...) but I do get freaked when people wake me up in certain ways. Even very very gentle ways like when a former boyfriend tried to gently kiss me awake like I was Sleeping Beauty. That was the worst! I think it's a vulnerability thing - having something wet touch your mouth when you're unaware is really freaky. Having someone poke your shin with their finger, much less so. The further away the person is, the better (poking at arm's length > putting arm around you while laying next to you).
If you're worried about her safety, do something like people have suggested above - wake via non-up-in-your-face methods where she is out of reach of your hands. Not sure how heavy you sleep but what has worked for me has included - throwing a pillow at me from a distance, poking me in the lower leg (don't grab the foot, that is a surefire freakout), blowing air on my face, pulling the blanket off. Noise should work but I sleep in earplugs so that is harder for me.
And not to scare you, since you're probably fine and I'm not a doctor etc., but there are diseases where "violent sleep disorder" is a symptom (and IIRC there are drugs that can trigger it as well). My friend's husband has it. Wouldn't hurt to mention it to your doctor just in case.
