An evaluation of societal responses to children of battered women in the last two decades reveals significant developments in professional awareness of the problem, knowledge about difficulties experienced by children, and services provided to children. Yet, current priorities and ideologies held by many in the battered women's movement (BWM) seem to interfere with attaining the goal of providing all children of battered women with the protection and support they need. This article critically analyzes the response of the BWM to children of battered women and outlines recommendations for change. Three major issues are examined: the perception of children as “secondary” victims, woman battering and child abuse, and battering men as fathers. It is hoped that the analysis offered will stimulate constructive discussion leading to an expansion and improvement of services to child witnesses of domestic violence.
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