ENORMOUS ADVANCES HAVE been made over the last two decades in the treatment of abused women and the prosecution of their abusers. Women's accusations are taken much more seriously, and they are much less likely to be blamed for inviting their assaults. Police departments are quicker to respond to domestic violence complaints and to treat partner abuse as a serious crime. Date rapists, who once got away with their behavior, are being prosecuted far more often, and the "she asked for it" defense is failing to work for them.

Despite all these improvements, large numbers of women continue to be beaten, stalked, and raped. Many women feel that the social service and criminal justice systems are not doing enough to prevent violence against them. They believe that the police, courts, and agencies designed to...