I've never had this description used to describe the actual abuse I went through (and I wonder if you are misunderstanding that). When I've been described as taking on the victim's role, it has been in the context of current life, not past abuse.

I am no longer the child who was truly victimized and powerless. I have the power, cognitive ability, and choice now as to how I react to current events in my life. I have options (if I choose to take them) and skills (if I choose to use them) to get me through the difficult times I encounter as an adult that I simply didn't have as a child.

If I choose not to recognize my options and skills and abilities now, then yes, I may very well be choosing (however unconsciously) to take on the victim's role. I'm not a powerless child anymore. That's not to say utilizing my adult abilities and options is easy. It's not. Growing up having been truly victimized has a way of stunting our growth for dealing with conflict and turmoil, but we don't have to stay at that childhood level forever. T's work to help us see that we do, indeed, have those abilities and options that we've sort of grown blind to over the years, probably out of sheer fear, again engrained in us during our abuse.