I think women SHOULD err on the side of caution when it comes to strange men.

Women are not as physically strong as men. Never have been--never will be.

It's biology.

Are we somehow striving for a time when a lone woman is no longer wary of coming across a strange man in the woods?

That will likely never happen--and probably shouldn't.

"Erring on the side of caution" is very different from condemning all men for all the evil men have done.