I think too, it may depend on when the abuse started. Do you think that people who were abused when they were older - like past their teens - were submissive to begin with, but didn't know the term?
Is it possible that they accepted the abuse rather than walk away because they wanted to be submissive?

I'm not suggesting here, I am just asking. I know that I was brought up to believe that I can do/be anything I want, I have no limits; did that help form me into a domme?

I can understand an former-abused person wanting a dom/me; I think the all encompassing, all embracing aspect of that would be very comforting. Having someone totally committed to looking after you? Yep, I can understand that.

It's when a former-abused person becomes a 'slave' that I have a problem. Well, okay, I admit it - I have a problem with anyone becoming a 'slave', and being treated like a possesion, but that topic has been covered elsewhere!