I usually don't have a problem hand quilting on batiks - in fact I like the way the stitches look on them. The only time they've given me grief is if there's a batik on the back - then it felt like I needed a jack hammer to get the needle through.
In your shoes, I would loosen the tension on the quilt, and keep trying different needles. Instead of hoping for 10-12 stitches, go for bigger stitches. Try quilting on the bias - it has some natural give to it, where straight of grain would be harder because it doesn't stretch.
I have found that some fabrics are harder to quilt through than others. While batiks are good for me, some Kona solids are hard. Not all of them, just some. Who knew?
Janet