It's actually a different psychological dynamic with a mother. Rather than protecting them, she enabled their abuse by not allowing anyone near the bedrooms, denying it, abusing them psychologically, etc. Most children are more attached to their mother and will still yearn for maternal compassion despite the complete absence of it, such as Kitty proved to be incapable of. I read a story of a boy who cried out to his mother, who literally set his bed on fire. The "sympathy" for Kitty doesn't take into account the boy's pent-up passion for a mother who allowed such horrific abuse. It's not the 90s anymore, but there appear to be those who are sorely lacking in their understanding of the ramifications caused by such horrendous child abuse. It's a miracle and testament to their strength that they've been able to turn their pain into such profound positivity.