two different types of abuse basically Ste,
traffic light grand prix and slipping the clutch is likely to fry it in that sense, it'll slip if you dump it instantly and over heat the friction surface and it'll loose grip, but generally in a FWD car the tyres will spin before the clutch suffers too much, unless you slip it like mad when launching.
once rolling, in 1st or 2nd gear, there isn't much load on the engine, due to the gearing it's easier for the car to accelerate at low speeds.
Think about it like a push bike, say you're rolling along at 4mph in a low spinny gear, try accelerating, and it's really easy, and you just pedal like mad. Change to a higher gear, and then try accelerating at the same rate. you need MUCH more force on the pedals, because the gearing is different.
it's basically the same principles in the clutch on the car