The state office on domestic violence has pointedly agreed, warning that the ruling could cause abused women to hesitate in bringing their plight before the courts for fear of being chastised for their trouble.
The rule was set to encourage women to bring their cases to court. 
mnli hypothesis: The rule was set to encourage women to bring their cases to court.  premise: The state office on domestic violence has pointedly agreed, warning that the ruling could cause abused women to hesitate in bringing their plight before the courts for fear of being chastised for their trouble.