OK, I found the reason why I placed what I said in brackets. The thread started with this hypothesis, and “they” that Donna mentioned refers back to this opener for that particular thread:

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Kamilla:
I wonder if they focus on it so much because so many of them have suffered genuine abuse? I can think of two former listmembers here – both were very public about their past experiences. One talked about her abuse when she was in a “shepherding” group and the other talked much about her abusive first husband. I believe most of the abuse they spoke of was genuine abuse. Do you think this might be a pattern within those attracted to an organization like CBE?