Another troubling aspect of the study is that the intervention programs did not appear to address abuse by the mother. Secondary abuse by a parent in a domestic violence situation is getting increasing attention in the field, and an intervention program's failure to address secondary abuse appears suspect. Sullivan et al (2004) make it clear that the intervention program came from a feminist perspective, and did not include any victim blaming. However, advocates for children may have concerns that an intervention program that fails to address a child's feelings at having a parent fail to protect them from a domestic violence situation can not be effective. In addition, practitioners that are worried about giving children age-appropriate intervention may be concerned with an emphasis on safety planning and coping skills, rather than on making sure that children do not have to live in an environment where safety planning or advanced coping skills are necessary. There is conflict between the child advocacy and domestic violence groups because of this position, and it is clear that Sullivan et al. approached the issue from the point of view of the adult victims, rather than the children.

             Methods.

             The study followed members of a nine-week intervention program aimed at helping adult and child victims of domestic violence. Subjects for the study were selected only if the children and their mothers completed the entire nine-week program. Those who completed the study included 79 children and 46 mothers. In addition, Sullivan et. al analyzed the sample of subjects who completed the study as compared to those who began, but did not complete, the intervention program; there were no significant differences in race, gender, or age (2004). However, there were significant differences in the mother's pretest parental stress scores and the children's trauma symptom checklists (Sullivan et al.