Most people who have been through incredibly difficult situations allow those situation to define them for the rest of their lives. To me they seem to revel in the stories of their victimhood, they benefit greatly from them.
Their stories give them excuses, so they don’t have to find reasons. Their stories allow them to bask in the glow of sympathy. Their stories allow them never to take the dangerous steps of journeying into the unknown territory of freedom, love, hope and happiness.