AuntPG - // Pixie I would presume that many abused people do realise what is happening to them but for whatever reasons accept or even blame themselves. //
Again speaking from my counselling experience, in the early weeks and months of dealing with abused women, it took patience and time to help them to actually understand the situation as it actually, was, rather the way that the abuser had conditioned them to see it.
Once that circle was broken, the process of gaining the impetus (I am steering clear of words like 'strength!) to leave the relationship could begin.
There are no set 'types' of individuals, as previous posts have clearly pointed out.
It is a deeply complex and difficult subject, but to return to the OP, I think the thread answers lankeela's question very clearly, and hopefully she reads the thread and maybe is more convinced about the complexities involved than when she first posted.