Kidding me? I love the damsel in distress plotline. To me your villain is never more potent than when a pretty, innocent, and defenseless virgin-type becomes the victim. But on the other side of the gender-coin (which doesn't work in soda machines, it turns out) most of the female characters I write or play are relatively if not exceptionally tough.

Maybe, like most things, Sophrosony is the key? (I think that's the right word) Moderation in all things?